Royalists and steam train enthusiasts held a three-day Platinum Jubilee celebration to honour 70 years of The Queen's reign.

Hundreds of royal fans descended on the East Lancashire Railway. Steam billowed across the platforms at Bury Bolton Street Station, as many passengers came dressed up in 40s and 50s fashions along with vintage army and air force uniforms on display.

Along the platforms, festooned with fluttering Union flags, women in polka dot dresses and white gloves carried picnic baskets for the journey, with passengers joining in renditions of wartime songs and big band swing numbers from the 1940s.

Sharman Birtles, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester gave a brief speech before the steam locomotives thundered out of the station, praising the monarch's long reign.

Mrs Birtles said Elizabeth had served as a driver during the Second World War before ascending to the throne in 1952.

Mrs Birtles said The Queen had played a vital role in keeping the nation upbeat and strong through hard times in our history and led by example, symbolising national identity and pride.

She added: "Throughout her long, illustrious and industrious reign, she has lived her life with dignity, integrity and modesty. She is loved and admired by her people here and in the Commonwealth."

A rousing rendition of the National Anthem was heartily sung before three cheers rang out for the Queen.

David and Michelle Tomlinson, from Horwich, dressed in vintage clothing for the day trip on the steam train.

Mr Tomlinson wore an armband marked with 'LDV', meaning Local Defence Volunteer, the forerunner to the Home Guard.

He said: "We found some old photographs, recently didn't we, when we were clearing my grandma's house and the front of her house was all done up in this jubilee, obviously when she had her coronation, so it's nice to know she's been there for all that time.

"She's been there forever, hasn't she, I suppose."

Louise Fuller, dressed in 40s fashions for the jubilee train trip with family, added: "After the last few years we've all had, it's nice to celebrate the jubilee and something constant throughout all our lives, 70 years of The Queen."