Rosemarie treasures her Coronation replica

As 27 million people tuned in to see the Coronation in 1953, one 11-year-old Shrewsbury girl was watching Queen Elizabeth II's state coach moving past the crowds towards Buckingham Palace with particular interest.

Rosemarie Jackson was paying close attention because her parents had just spent two shillings to buy her one of the miniature replica commemorative Coronation carriages which were produced by UK manufacturer, Airfix.

And over the following seven days, with help from her father, the plastic pieces were transformed into a colourful pint-sized replica of the famous Gold State Coach – which Rosemarie, now Rosemarie Hurst, has kept to this day.

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"I suppose as a little girl it captured my imagination," said Rosemarie, now 70, from her home in Shrewsbury's Berwick Grange.

"I think it was bought as a present by my mother and father – Esther and Les – and, with a bit of help, it was carefully painted and transfers were stuck on to bring the replica carriage to life.

"It probably took about a week of work after school until it was fully completed and it was just something nice to do as the whole country came together to celebrate the Queen."

And when Her Majesty waves to the hoards of patriotic Brits on London's Mall this week, it will be only the third time she has used her Gold State Coach in 60 years.

But Mrs Hurst's exquisite replica has been used even less. The mother-of-two, who was born at Cross Houses Hospital, said: "I've kept the model in a china cabinet in the front room ever since and this week is literally the first time I've had it out since.

"That probably explains why it is still in such good condition. Everybody in those days had a china cabinet where they kept their most precious mementos and I've always kept mine.

"I've got glass animals in there, a number of other pieces of Royal memorabilia and even a piece of coal from an old coal mine.

"I also have an ashtray which was meant for Edward VIII but he abdicated."

Rosemarie, who has been married to husband Eric for almost 50 years, remembers celebrating the Coronation at a street party on Sundorne Road and seeing a film of the grand procession at a nearby cinema.

And with bunting once again going up to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, thoughts of the Coronation are again capturing the former costume clerk's imagination.

"The girl over the road is having a BBQ and we are also planning to have one but we haven't decided what day yet," she said.

"All the memories will come flooding back and I'm planning to record the London celebrations on TV."

But for all the celebrations in Mrs Hurst's household and across the UK, the miniature Coronation carriage will be going safely back into its cabinet for all to see.

Darrell Burge, a spokesman for Hornby, which now owns Airfix, said they no longer produced a similar design but estimated it would have cost about two shillings and sixpence – the equivalent to 12 and a half pence now.

Rosemarie said: "I'm sure it would probably fetch a few quid on eBay but I'd never sell it as it means far too much to me."

Have you got a great Coronation souvenir? Contact us at (01952) 242424 or newsdesk@shropshirestar.co.uk