THE Queen brought the sunshine and the Duke of Edinburgh brought his famous sense of humour as Bolton bakers Warburtons welcomed the royal couple to the town.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II spent time talking to bakery staff while Prince Philip laughed and joked with factory workers yesterday.

The royal couple were visiting the factory in Hereford Street, Astley Bridge, to celebrate family values and British business.

They were greeted by pupils from The Valley School, who cheered and waved Union Flags as the royal car arrived.

The Queen — dressed in a fuchsia outfit with matching hat, a black bag, gloves and shoes — spoke to the new Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Norman Critchley, while Prince Philip poked fun at council chief executive Sean Harriss.

The Duke of Edinburgh asked Mr Harriss if he was the town clerk — he then told him that chief executive was a “ridiculous title” and asked him where his traditional town clerk’s wig was. Mr Harriss told him he had left his wig in his office.

On meeting Prince Philip, he said: “It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. He is famous for his sense of humour, so it is great to have shared a joke with him.”

Jonathan Warburton then showed the royal couple around the factory and explained the bread-making process.

The factory machines did not stop for the Queen, but staff took a break from their shifts to talk to Her Majesty.

Lee Pendlebury, who works in sales for the Bolton bakers, was questioned by the Queen about his job.

He said: “It was frightening. I was overwhelmed by the whole occasion. If she ever visits again, then I will try to speak to her because this time I was speechless.”

Christine Carpenter and Jaime Hurst spoke to Prince Philip, who displayed his natural charm with the Warburtons girls.

Christine said: “He asked us if we ate all of the different products we make. We said yes and he said: ‘How do you stay so slim?’ “They were both so nice.”

The Queen then stopped to chat to factory workers John Boyle, Darren Schofield and Michael Clarke.

Mr Schofield said: “It was quite nerve-wracking. We didn’t expect to speak to the Queen in person. It was an honour to meet her.”

Warburtons’ Innovation Team then spoke to Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh about their job.

Sally Stanton said: “Prince Philip said: ‘How do you come up with new products? I thought bread was just bread.’ “It was great to meet them. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

After their tour, the Queen and Prince Philip then met Warburtons’ longest-serving employee, Denise Dootson.

The 60-year-old, who has worked for the company since she was 15, said: “It was a pleasure and a privilege.

“Prince Philip was shocked I had been at Warburtons so long and he told me I must have started working here when I was a baby. He is definitely a bit of a charmer.”

At the end of the visit, pupils from The Valley School formed a guard of honour for the royal guests.

The children again waved their Union Flags and cheered as the Queen accepted flowers from all of the children.

Head boy Yasin Karmardie, aged 11, said: “It was brilliant. I really enjoyed the whole day. I was gobsmacked when I met the Queen.”

Head girl Nabeelah Patel, who handed the Queen a specially-prepared bouquet, said: “I am quite speechless. It was such an honour and I am astonished that I have just given the Queen flowers.”

Kath White is owner of Diddybox florists in Belmont Road, Sharples, where staff member Jane Mainwaring prepared the royal bouquet, which included pink roses, pink peonies, purple sweet peas and lady’s mantle.

She said: “It was great to have been asked to prepare the flowers for the Queen’s visit. We were only to happy to help, it was a great honour.”