LUDLOW is basking in the afterglow of a magic day on Thursday when a reigning monarch came to the town for the first time in 300 years.

And from the comments of Buckingham Palace organisers, both Ludlow and Craven Arms people gave a rousing welcome to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

For the Royal couple, highlights of the visit appeared to be, from their lingering interest, an inspection of the Shropshire mammoth bones only last month installed in their new home at Ludlow Museum Resource Centre, a browse along the sumptuous and colourful Local to Ludlow produce and craft stalls in Castle Square, a visit to Ludlow Castle and a chance to sample the Ludlow Festival Shakespeare plays and a beautiful rendition by the cast of 'In the Bleak Mid Winter'.

They also showed enjoyment chatting, whenever they could, despite a tight schedule, to flag-waving school children.