The Queen was joined by actress Dame Penelope Keith for a Women's Institute meeting this afternoon.

Dame Penelope, 74, gave a question and answer session about acting at the West Newton Village Hall.

Afterwards, Dame Penelope spoke about her experience at the meeting yesterday, which lasted around an hour and a half.

'It was great fun,' she said. 'It was fascinating. I asked people if they wanted to ask me questions, I got asked if had always wanted to be an actress and if I preferred theatre to television.'

Dame Penelope, who is famous for her role as Margo Leadbetter, spoke about her chat with the Queen, who is the branch's honorary president.

The Queen arrived by Range Rover just before 3pm wearing a light grey-coloured coat in cold, but calm weather conditions.

She was welcomed by WI chair and vice president, Yvonne Browne, who has been a member of the WI since 1991.

As the Queen left the service, she paused before she got into her Range Rover and smiled broadly at the small public gathering who were waiting in the cold to catch a glimpse of her.