AS the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, The Mail looks back at her visits to Barrow across 70 years on the throne.

The Queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, the first without the Duke of Edinburgh, her husband of 73 years, who died last year.

The Queen's reign began when she was 25 years old, following the death of her father, George VI, on 6 February 1952.

The 95-year-old said in a written message to the nation: "I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me."

Queen Elizabeth II has been to Barrow several times during her long reign – the first time being in 1956 with the Duke of Edinburgh to visit Barrow Town Hall.

She has visited Barrow shipyard for key launches, including that of Dreadnought, Britain’s first nuclear-powered submarine, in October 1960, and the aircraft carrier Invincible during her 1977 silver jubilee year.

Her Majesty also paid a visit to the town in 1971 to mark the newly-opened Barrow Market after the former market was demolished. In the same visit, the Queen officially launched the HMS Sheffield in Barrow.

In 1985, the Queen returned to Barrow for the official opening of Furness General Hospital in May.

The Mail itself had a visit from the Queen – she had a tour of the offices in Abbey Road to mark the paper’s centenary on February 20 1998, while the Duke of Edinburgh went to the CCW American candle factory at Sandscale Park.

During that same visit, the Queen visited the shipyard to officially name the amphibious assault ship Ocean.

Thousands turned out at the railway station and at the Barrow yard to see the Queen’s visit.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Claire Hensman, congratulated the Queen on her 'remarkable' milestone.

She said: "A truly remarkable achievement.

"From all in the Cumbria Lieutenancy, we wish Her Majesty The Queen many heartfelt congratulations and thanks for her inspirational and devoted service.

"We are looking forward to celebrating the Platinum Jubilee throughout the year."