The sound of a 21-gun salute rolled out across York's Museum Gardens today as soldiers from the 22nd Regiment of the Royal Artillery marked the 45th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation in traditional manner.

Crowds stood in their cagoules in driving rain to watch the three artillery pieces fire in turn at midday.

For one little boy the excitement was all too much - he was literally bowled over by the roar of the guns.

York is the only place in the North of England where the salute takes place and the Lord Mayor, Coun Derek Smallwood, took the salute with Major General Dair Farrar Hockley who is the general officer commanding the Second Division.

Coun Smallwood and Major General Hockley then inspected the gun crews and the Minden Band of the Queen's Division.

The only other time a 21-gun salute is fired is for the Queen Mother and the Queen's birthday.

Invited guests came from all over the North of England for today's event.

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