AS Dorset mourns the death of the Queen we look back at the impact she made on her many visits to the county over the years.

In her 70 years of devoted service she visited Dorset many times - and her radiant smile touched those who were lucky enough to meet her.

Although The Queen would cut a small figure on her walkabouts in the county's towns - and even on Weymouth beach - her substantial presence delighted the crowds who would turn out to get a glimpse of her.

She rarely stopped smiling and would always find the time to accept posies from youngsters and show interest in Dorset's people and its new buildings.

Her last visit to Dorset was to Poundbury in 2016, with Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

It was a moving occasion as she unveiled a statue dedicated to her mother in Queen Mother Square. The visit also brought us the novel sighting of the Queen in a supermarket as she and Philip were presented with a hamper of local produce in Little Waitrose.

The sun was shining for the Queen, resplendent in turquoise, as she visited Weymouth beach in 2009, with a young girl shouting out 'you look lovely', sparking cheers from an eager crowd.

The Royal visitor, who had a love of horses, showed a special interest in the donkeys on the beach, the attraction's owner Maggie Aldridge told the Echo. She said: “The Queen came up and asked me where the donkeys were from and was interested in what we do here – I feel really privileged that I got to meet her.”

Animals were an east way to get the Queen's attention in Sherborne in 2012 as she brightened up the rain-sodden streets in a vibrant pink overcoat and even stopped to pet a patriotically-dressed corgi in the crowd.

But it was a very individual who made her first visit to the area, back in 1939 as a shy young Princess visiting Weymouth with her father King George VI, mother Elizabeth and sister Princess Margaret. Whilst in town she met 'Grannie' Mary Levena Wallis, the oldest woman in Weymouth at the time.

Just a month after becoming crowned Queen, Her Majesty spent more than two hours in Dorchester in July 1952. The ever conscientious 26-year-old confided at the time that she wished she could have spent more time talking to people.

"Whenever I am interested in something, someone always comes to tell me it is time to go."

Whoever had the privilege of seeing and meeting Her Majesty in Dorset has memories of that special day that will stay with them a lifetime.