PUPILS at a Lancaster stage school are still catching their breaths after taking a central role in the Queen's golden jubilee celebrations in London.

The 33 local children and teenagers of the Stagecoach Theatre School were astonished to come face-to-face with the Queen and Prince Philip when they were asked to flank the monarch's cavalcade as it headed down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace.

Parents back in Lancaster were amazed to see their children on TV as the cameras focused on the Queen as she waved to well wishers and members of the near one-million strong crowd.

It was the icing on the cake for the children of Stagecoach who had earlier performed songs before a huge crowd in Trafalgar Square.

Stagecoach Principal Ann-Marie Coulston described the emotional scenes saying: "The students mounted the stage looking slightly apprehensive and overawed by the huge crowds that were colourfully dressed in red, white and blue and waving Union Jacks.

It was by far the greatest number of people they had ever performed to.

The first song we sung was 'Something Inside So Strong' which proved to be most poignant and, as soon as they started to sing, their nerves were banished and a real sense of pride shone from their excited faces.

I had to hold back a tear of two and when I looked round people everywhere were having a little weep it was so powerful.

The onlookers joined in on 'Let It Be' and it was an amazing feeling, the atmosphere was electric." But it was when they made their way to the Mall that the Lancaster youngsters surprisingly came face to face with the Queen.

"We simply could not believe it when the Queen and Prince Philip appeared waving from her open top Bentley.

We waved and cheered back and were then instructed to flank the car either side until it reached Buckingham Palace.

So we danced and skipped with sheer joy all the way down the mile-long mall alongside a thrilled Queen to the gates of the palace.

The mobiles started to ring as everyone had seen our students beside the Queen.

One girl, Lucy said her mum was at home in tears she was so proud.

It was the most magical and magnificent day." The mood was summed up by Kate, 11, and Charlotte, 10, who said: "Just imagine when we are both 90 we can tell our grandchildren that we were here for the Queen's golden jubilee and that we actually saw her!"