SOLDIERS put on a show of force in York to mark the anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

The 28-strong firing party from 103 (Lancashire) Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) - based in St Helen's, Merseyside - fired a 21- gun salute in the city's Museum Gardens to mark the anniversary on Saturday.

The gunner regiment which is also based in Liverpool, Manchester and Bolton, also fired the Royal Salute last year.

The four 105mm light guns fired the salute on the stroke of noon. York is the saluting station for the North of England - one of 12 saluting stations including London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff.

The light field guns, which were brought into service for Royal Salutes two years ago, have been used in service in the Falklands and latterly in Afghanistan.

The Inspecting Officer was Irene Waudby, the Lord Mayor of York, who was hosted by the Commander of York Garrison and 15 (North East) Brigade, Brigadier Richard Dennis.

The discharge of cannon as a form of salute is almost as old as the artillery itself, although Royal Salutes are relatively modern. The first military regulations governing the firing of salutes were made in 1827 when the Board of Ordnance ordered that 41 guns was the correct Royal Salute when fired from St James's Park or the Tower of London.