Queen arrives in Sherborne

The Queen greets people in Sherborne Credit: ITV West

Hundreds of people braved the wet weather to welcome the Queen to the South West of England.

She and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived by Royal Train to begin a series of engagements in Dorset and Wiltshire as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK.

Well-wishers patiently stood outside Sherborne Abbey to await the royal visitors. Schoolchildren waved flags and cheered loudly as the Queen and Philip drew up in a car following a short journey from Sherborne station.

On arrival at Sherborne Abbey, the Queen and Philip met primary schoolchildren at a Mad Hatter's Tea Party in a marquee on the lawn. The Queen was presented with a bouquet of flowers by eight-year-old Leah McGarry, who was dressed as Alice from Alice In Wonderland.

Our reporter, Duncan Slightholme (seen in reflection) gets close the Queen Credit: ITV West
School children wave flags as the Queen arrives Credit: ITV West
People queue to see the Queen Credit: ITV West
Hundreds of people gather in Sherborne Credit: ITV West
Girls dressed as Alice from Alice In Wonderland, presented the Queen with flowers Credit: ITV West
Police stand guard as people await the Queen's arrival Credit: ITV West
Slightly wet: The heavens may have opened but the flags are still waving Credit: ITV West
Even the pets dress-up to greet Her Majesty Credit: ITV West