Gardens in York resounded to the thunder of a 21-gun salute to mark the 61st anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne.

Visitors to the gardens yesterday lunchtime gathered to watch the ceremony, which saw members of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, from Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, fire 21 rounds from three 105mm light guns.

York is the only saluting station in the north of England, after being awarded the honour in 1971 to mark the city’s 1,900th anniversary. Royal gun salutes will be fired around the country on Accession Day.

The other 11 stations in the UK include London, Belfast, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.