THE QUEEN was cheered by thousands of people as she went on a walkabout in Bexleyheath Broadway.

Accompanied by music from St Michael's Primary School, Welling's steel band and Beths Grammar School's Big Band, she chatted to many of the flag-waving crowds.

Elle Frost, 40, was greeted by the Queen at her fair trade clothing stall.

She said: "I'm not a fanatical royalist but it was a real honour to meet her.

Chris Davis, 36, who runs a fair trade jewellery stall, presented the Queen with a jewellery set made in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa.

Mr Davis said "She was very interested."

Her majesty also watched a mime and street dance performance from students at Welling School on the theme of life as a teenager.

Dance teacher Zara Flynn said: "She said she understood the symbolism of the teenagers wearing hoodies.

"She actually used the word hoodies. I couldn't believe it"

Navy veteran Stan Shenfield, of Cleeve Road, Sidcup, revealed his chance to meet the Queen had been a real case of second time lucky.

The 80-year-old said: "I told her I went over to Normandy for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings last year but I couldn't get near her. She said Well, you made it this time'."

St Thomas More School pupil Megan Lyons, 11, was plucked from the crowd to present the Queen with a bouquet. She said: "It was a real shock.I didn't expect to meet the Queen. I can't wait to tell my friends."