‘JUST fantastic’ was the Queen’s verdict on her visit to Accrington yesterday.

Her Majesty was clearly bowled over by the rapturous welcome she received from thousands of people who had lined the towns streets.

And as she stepped out of her official car, the massed crowds erupted with applause.

Earlier, in a rare move, the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh staged a combined royal tour of part of Burnley.

A canal barge took them on a half-mile tour through the heart of the town’s Weavers’ Triangle to Slaters Terrace and Victoria Mill.

Highlights of the day also included a visit to Burnley FC, for a performing arts show and lunch, and a tour around the Burnley College and UCLan campus.

In Accrington, children sat on the shoulders of their fathers, pensioners grasped bunches of flowers, and many even shed a tear at the Queen, visited the town for the first time in 57 years.

The Royal couple were given an exceptionally warm welcome outside the town hall, where crowds had begun to gather four hours earlier to get the best views of the historic occasion.

MP Graham Jones said the visit was a resounding success.

“The Queen said the visit was absolutely fantastic,” he said. “It was such a great success, a moment to remember.

“The turnout was phenomenal and the people of Accrington did the town proud”.

Family entertainment began at 2pm with Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants performing acrobatic tricks for delighted children.

Crowds waving Union Flags ensured Blackburn Road was a sea of red, white and blue as far as the eye could see while waiting for the Queen.

People were in good spirits in spite of the lack of room with some younger crowd members choosing to climb lampposts and trees for a better spot.

Before the official military tunes began, a local shop played Jerusalem at full volume while other traders had decorated their windows especially for the arrival of the royal visitors to Hyndburn.

The first of the brass bands and military drums marched down Blackburn Road as the Brigade of Gurkhas band amazed the waiting crowds with their energetic tunes and precision marching.

And when the Queen arrived dressed in a pale Pistachio green overcoat and matching hat, black heels and white gloves, she took several moments to wave at the crowds as she arrived.

She was greeted by an official welcoming party which included the current Mayor of Hyndburn, Coun Colette McCormack, Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson and Hyndburn Council chief executive David Welsby.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “It is an absolutely great honour that the Queen has chosen to visit Accrington.

“She was last here 57 years ago and the fact she is still serving the country is great testament to her as an ambassador for Britain.”

Little Elleanor Coglan, 10, from Clayton-le-Moors was also included in the welcome party and got the chance to hand the Queen a bunch of pink roses.

The youngster said: “I was so nervous.

“It was absolutely amazing, I can’t believe it. She told me she liked my flowers.”

The Queen was then lead into Accrington’s newly refurbished market hall by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, who then presented The Queen to Mr Welsby who proceeded to talk through the changes the market has faced.

Outside onlookers waved their flags in time to music before members of the Gurkhas began entertaining crowds with marches and dances using daggers.

Sara Britcliffe, daughter of former Hyndburn council leader Peter Britcliffe, was given the opportunity to present her majesty with a bunch of red roses with a difference.

She said: “I gave the Queen a bunch of red roses encrusted with diamonds because its her Diamond Jubilee. She told me she thought they were very pretty.

“I was so nervous, I was pretty much shaking when she spoke to me.”

The whistle stop tour then included the unveiling of a coat of arms by former Olympic marathon runner, Dr Ron Hill, to commemorate the Queen’s visit.

The royal party then made its way back into the bright Accrington sunshine and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh took the opportunity to meet local people.

Jane Dawson, carer for 10-year-old Ellie McMullan, said: “It was lovely to get so up close to the Queen.

“She gracefully accepted our flowers and asked us if we were having a good day.”

The party were then led into Accrington Town Hall for afternoon tea, where all of Lancashire’s Mayors had gathered for their opportunity to meet the royal visitors.

Blackburn with Darwen Mayor, Coun Karimeh Foster said: “This is my last engagement as Mayor and what a lovely one it has been.

“It has been a great honour to have the opportunity to meet the Queen.

After greeting Lancashire Mayoral parties, The Queen and Duke appeared on the balcony at Accrington Town Hall where she was serenaded with the National Anthem.

She then watched a county parade of Gurkhas, Accrington Pipe Band, military cadets, scouts and guides and the Royal British Legion among others.

The Queen was then greeted with a final cheer, martial tunes and eager faces as she climbed into her car.

Earlier the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles had enjoyed a barge trip in the Pride of Sefton along the Liverpool Leeds canal in Burnley.

When the royal party arrived at the Weavers’ Triangle to disembark a roar of cheers and enthusiastic flag waving erupted from well wishers.

The crowds were even treated to a wave from the Queen and the Duke, before they were given a presentation on the work of Prince Charles’ charities.

At their next stop the Queen and Prince Philip were welcomed to the Burnley College/UCLan campus by the head girls from Burnley’s five high schools and Sir Thomas Whitham sixth form centre.

Each handed the Queen a bunch of flowers which had the accent colour from their school.

The Royals then spoke to businesses and staff involved in small business incubation spaces on the campus.

And at Turf Moor historic royal connections with Burnley FC were cemented.

Hundreds of people lined Harry Potts Way on the outside of the stadium as the royal party arrived for lunch in the Jimmy McIlroy Stand.

Jimmy himself was on hand to welcome the couple and revealed his pride at his beloved club welcoming the monarch.

He said: “It is a great honour for the club and its fans to host the Queen and Prince Philip. I last met her 50 years ago when the team went to Wembley.”

The visit was poignant for Barry Kilby. The popular Clarets chairman officially steps down from the role next week.

He said: “This was a wonderful way to end my time as chairman, to have the Queen visiting the club is a high honour.

“There’s a strong historic link between our club and the Royal family and that has been strengthened today.”

Incoming Hyndburn Mayor, Coun John Broadley said the visit had been a great day for all involved.

He said: “I think visits like this do a lot to bring people together, not only in Hyndburn but also in Lancashire.”