Saltaire was awash with red, white and blue yesterday as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited the World Heritage Site as part of their Diamond Jubilee tour of the nation.

Large crowds gathered in Victoria Road to welcome the Royal couple as they arrived for lunch at technology company Pace plc.

Onlookers cheered and waved Union Jack flags as the Queen, wearing a dress and coat in beige and cream tweed with a matching hat, stepped out onto a royal blue carpet and greeted representatives from across the region, including Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Dale Smith and Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr Ingrid Roscoe.

Dressed in national colours for the occasion was Melanie Hartley, of Keighley, who had arrived at 8.30am to ensure she caught a glimpse of the monarch.

She said: “I love the Queen. I absolutely love her. She’s amazing. She’s the hardest working person in the whole country. She never stops. Every day is a work day for her.”

Also among the crowd was Pamela Firth, of Bingley, and her 92-year-old mother. She said: “We went down to London for the royal wedding. We are both royalists. The Royal Family is very important to the country. It’s fantastic she’s come to Saltaire. It gives people who wouldn’t normally see her the chance to do so.”

Saltaire resident Kathy Bartle, who was with her three-year-old grandson, said: “It means a lot to the people of Saltaire that she’s come here, especially in her Diamond Jubilee year. She’s a special lady and I have a lot of respect for her. I don’t know where she gets the stamina from to keep up with all these events.”

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh joined guests including Bishop of Bradford Nick Baines, former Lord Mayor Councillor Naveeda Ikram and Pace chairman Allan Leighton, for a three-course lunch of Kilnsey trout, Nidderdale lamb and Yorkshire cheeses.

Councillor Smith, who was also among the party, said: “It was a magical experience for the Bradford district.

“My wife and I enjoyed ourselves and it was a privilege to represent the Bradford district in the presence of Her Majesty and Prince Philip.”

Pupils from Glenaire Primary School wearing crowns made for the occasion were also among the crowds.