Queen visits Derry

Stormont minister Nigel Dodds is introduced to the Queen

The Queen has visited Londonderry on the first of several engagements she will carry out in Northern Ireland.

She is to attend a number of events during the one-day visit.

It is her first visit to Derry since 1953.

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, was greeted by Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid, DUP Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds and representatives from the local council.

She visited the Maydown Ebrington Centre, which opened in February this year to help promote the social and economic well-being of the local community.

The Queen visited a centre in the city

The £2m centre in a converted shirt factory includes a theatre and cinema complex, restaurant, gymnasium and fitness suite. It also provides IT and job skills training, together with drama and dance facilities.

The Royal party was entertained by youth and adult drama and dance groups during their visit to the centre.

Prince Philip met people from the northwest of the province involved in the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.

The visit was seen as a boost to Derry's unionist community.

Mr Dodds said the visit reinforced the fact that Northern Ireland was part of the United Kingdom.

The Queen also met representatives from the Irish Republic's training agency.

Later on Thursday, the Queen arrived at Hillsborough Castle for the second engagement of her visit to Northern Ireland.

She was met by the the First and Deputy First Ministers, David Trimble and Mark Durkan.

The Queen was last in Northern Ireland in April last year to present the George Cross to the RUC at a ceremony at Hillsborough Castle.

The honour was bestowed on the Royal Ulster Constabulary to recognise the "courage and dedication" of police officers and their families in Northern Ireland.

Almost two weeks ago, the RUC became the Police Service of Northern Ireland as part of new policing arrangements for the province.