CROWDS gathered in Crystal Palace for a Royal visit as Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh took the Jubilee tour to Bromley.

Amid tight security, Queen Elizabeth visited the London Heathrow Mini Games at the National Sports Centre, Ledrington Road.

At the same time, Prince Philip went several centuries back in time to explore the newly-renovated dinosaur trail in Crystal Palace Park.

The Duke was shown round the geological time trail by Professor Peter Doyle, from Greenwich University, who supervised the restoration, and Robbie Stoakes, leisure and community services director from Bromley Council.

Children from four local primary schools created enormous dinosaurs dancing round the trail to music by steel bands from James Dixon Primary, in Anerley Park, and Princes Plain Primary, Church Lane.

The Duke paused to ask 10-year-old Ben Cornwell, from James Dixon school, about his drum playing.

Ben said: "He asked me if I played all the drums at once. I had to tell him no, I don't.

"I was so nervous about playing today I almost fell over but he was really friendly."

Fellow musician Deborah Williams, also 10, said: "My mum's going to be really impressed I met Prince Philp.

"I was pretty scared but he was nice to us."

Mr Stoakes added: "The Duke was particularly interested in the history of the dinosaurs and was very knowledgeable about a lot of the plants."

Jamie Cook, 11, was chosen as the borough's representative to meet the Queen at the sports events.

A pupil at Grays Farm Primary School in St Paul's Cray, he said: "I was really excited to be chosen and it was great."

Elsie Thomas, 80, who visits the dinosaur park almost every day during her life, was pleased to see the Duke come to visit.

Mrs Thomas, who attended the celebrations as a representative of Penge Congregational Church, said: "I worked in the park during the war, and I used to walk back to my house in Crampton Road through this park every night.

"I got to know it pretty well because I had to find my way through in the blackout.

swarden@london.newsquest.co.uk

July 8, 2002 17:00