A SEA of red, white and blue met a smiling Queen and Prince Phillip on Friday as they paid their first official visit to Chippenham and Calne.

Flag-waving crowds thronged the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal guests, who set the tone for the day with their informal and friendly manner.

Chippenham Mayor Barbie Dawson, said: "This day will stay in my memory forever.

"I can't thank the people of Chippenham enough for turning out and giving such a warm and wonderful welcome.

"They have done the town of Chippenham proud."

The Queen and Prince Phillip arrived in the area by train at Chippenham railway station, and the Queen was taken to Calne.

She visited an exhibition in the town hall put together by community groups and schools, before crossing the crowd-packed street to open the multi-million pound Millennium library.

Later the Queen visited Calne's John Bentley School to learn about its achievements as the county's only language specialist college.

Prince Phillip visited Chippenham Heritage Centre and chatted with voluntary curators, before joining the Queen in the High Street for an informal walkabout.

They then called in at the town hall before heading to Malmesbury by car.