IPSWICH town centre came to a standstill today in honour of The Queen.Hundreds of people huddled together along barriers stretching the length of Tavern Street keen to catch a glimpse of The Queen during her tour.

By Jo Macdonald

IPSWICH town centre came to a standstill today in honour of The Queen.

Hundreds of people huddled together along barriers stretching the length of Tavern Street keen to catch a glimpse of The Queen during her tour.

Union Jack flags, hats and balloons were everywhere to be seen as people showed their support and welcomed her and Prince Phillip to town in proper Suffolk style.

On the Cornhill a Hadleigh High School Swing Band kept the crowd entertained.

Meanwhile office and shop workers downed tools and found perfect vantage points at windows and on balconies above the crowd. Others stood on windowsills and steps in efforts to find the best view possible.

This was a day for everyone. Those who remembered The Queen's last visit to Ipswich in 1977 stood side by side with those not even born at that time.

Old and young the buzz of excitement spread among them all.

Hannah, 8, and Harriet Cunnell, 4, had come from their Adelaide Road home in Ipswich with their mother Karen.

Mrs Cunnell saw The Queen during her Silver Jubilee tour and felt it was important for her daughters to have the same opportunity today. She said: "It's a bit of history."

Hannah summed up for everyone why the royal visit to Ipswich is such a special occasion. "She's the world's greatest," she said

Patricia Griffin and Betty Beaumont from Ipswich had come prepared, bringing seats and coffee with them. Mrs Griffin said: "We know all the drill. We were here 25 years ago and we wanted to support the Jubilee again.

"She is very nice and I think she has done a splendid job."

Jean Barnett, from the Felixstowe Road area of Ipswich, was decked out in a Union Jack hat and armed with the Union Jack flag. She said: "I am very royalist and save all the mugs and photographs and I would always go to Sandringham to see the Queen Mother.

"I saw The Queen when she came in 1977. I just believe she keeps the country together and has done a wonderful job."

Denise Mayes, of Walton, had got the 8.30am train to Ipswich to ensure she found a good spot in town. "It is a very special year for The Queen," she said.