A mock coronation service took place at St Mary's the Virgin Church in Beeston - Queen Sophie Kimber (6) with Morgan Olley (10). Picture: Matthew Usher.

Villagers from Beeston arrived in style to the community church today, which was packed for a re-enactment of the Queen’s coronation played out by youngsters.

The service at St Mary’s Church was led by the Rev Martin Joyce, who became the Archbishop of Canterbury for the special occasion to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

Children and their parents arrived in a 1950s bus in their finest clothes, and rain coats, to watch Sophie Kimber, six, become the Queen for a day.

Sophie, from Beeston, and her Prince Consort, Morgan Olley, 10, also from Beeston, left the church in a 1927 Crossley car giving their best royal waves to the cheering crowd.

Children received commemorative mugs at the end of the coronation from Beeston and Bittering Parish Council.

Yvonne Ball, who helped organise the event, said: “Even though the rain has been dreadful there is standing room only in the church. It has been a fantastic response. It is overwhelming.”

Leanne Jarrett, 39, from Beeston, who was in the congregation, said: “It was lovely how the whole village has come together. The coronation was beautiful.”

Sophie’s mother, Claire Kimber, 38, said: “It was unbelievable and I’m so proud of her, she was just brilliant. It is fantastic.”

After the service the bus took everyone to a street party at School Farm in the middle of Beeston.