Youngsters from a Costessey primary school enjoyed a trip to London for Britain's largest annual inter-faith gathering.

St Augustine's Catholic Primary School pupils were among around 1,000 young people who flocked to Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day Observance.

The celebration was attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

This year's Observance celebrated the 2014 Commonwealth theme Team Commonwealth.

Speakers included inspirational campaigner Malala Yousafzai, one of Great Britain's most successful Paralympians Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Olympic gold medallist Lord Coe.

The critically-acclaimed Mobo musical award winner and Brit nominee Laura Mvula performed, and a poem – specially commissioned for Commonwealth Day – was read by South African writer and performance artist Phillippa Yaa de Villiers.

The pupils have also participated in this year's Commonwealth Essay Competition, which calls for creative entries on the 2014 theme Team Commonwealth.

The day also allowed the children a chance to see many of the main sights of London as they walked from Liverpool Street station to Westminster Abbey.

Highlights included St Paul's Cathedral, Fleet Street, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament.

Pupil Abby Holmes said: 'It was a trip like none other; to see the Queen was a unique opportunity.'

Classmate Anastasia Killow said: 'We were so close to the Queen, only an arm's length away.'

Archie Brett added: 'Also we enjoyed it because we got to see so many sights of London.'