DORSET residents gave a roaring royal reception to the Queen when she visited the county just ahead of her Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen brightened up the rain-sodden streets of Sherborne in a vibrant pink overcoat with black buttons and trimming.

She even stopped to pet a patriotically-dressed corgi in the crowd, remarking that she had three of her own in Buckingham Palace.

Corgi owner Ed Badham-Thornhil, 18, of Exeter, said: “We decided to dress up our corgis Millie, Floss and Mole for the occasion.

“I said ‘hi’ to the Queen before she spoke to me which apparently you aren’t allowed to do but the Queen is such a polite and kind lady.”

During her time in the south west she also called in at Salisbury yesterday and will visit Crewkerne, Yeovil and Exeter today.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived by royal train at Sherborne railway station and travelled to Sherborne Abbey by car.

Shop windows throughout the Dorset town were decorated with union flags and bunting in honour of the occasion.

Queen Elizabeth was making a return to Sherborne 14 years after her last visit when she unveiled a window at the abbey.

The Queen unveiled a design for a flagstone at the abbey, later to be carved and laid there to commemorate her visit.