The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations went off with a bang as a gun salute was fired in central London to mark her 70-year reign.

Events will be held over the coming year in honour of the Queen, who at the weekend renewed her 1947 pledge to the nation and Commonwealth "that my life will always be devoted to your service".

At noon the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, named by the Queen's father King George VI, 75 years ago, fired a 41-gun salute from London's Green Park.

The ceremony took place a day after February 6, Accession Day, when Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, as the anniversary fell on a Sunday.

Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, who as Brigade Major of the prestigious Household Division oversees the Army's big ceremonial events, said: "For me this is the launch of the Platinum Jubilee, this is where it all starts for all of us and as a country."

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