CARE home residents have shared their memories of the Queen ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Colton Care's 12 homes in Dorset will be putting out bunting and flags for their 'street parties' over the specially extended bank holiday weekend in June.

To view the residents, click on the interactive gallery above

In the run-up, residents and staff have been sprucing up gardens, making decorations, knitting royalty-themed tea cosies, rehearsing songs to perform, planning games and are also planting commemorative trees for the Queen's Green Canopy initiative.

Residents have also been sharing memories and their thoughts on Her Majesty.

Former royal pilot Michael Harrington, who lives at Castle View in Poundbury, flew members of the royal family, including the Queen, hundreds of times on trips during his years of service.

He said: “She was always immaculate and smooth. She knew exactly how to deal with people. She was very kind.”

At Abbey View in Sherborne, 100-year-old Michael Jones, who was a Spitfire pilot during the Second World War, met the Queen years later at Buckingham Palace when he was awarded an OBE.

He said: “Meeting the Queen was simply lovely, she asked me if I was still flying planes. I replied: ‘I’m more of a passenger these days,’ to which she smiled. I found her so gracious and very personable.”

Another Abbey View resident, Eve Walsh Waring, worked as the Lady Clerk Correspondent in the Office of the Personal Secretary at Buckingham Palace after her retirement from government service.

She said: “A friend told me of the position and I thought ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’. In the end I worked there for five years and loved every moment of an incredible experience.”

An autographed photo of Her Majesty and Prince Phillip dating from 1995 still takes pride of place on Eve’s bedside table.

Fellow resident Margarate Webster saw the Queen in person when she worked at the Chapter House in Westminster Abbey.

Margaret said: “One day the staff were told that the Queen was on her way and that we must just continue to work in the normal way.

"Well, obviously no-one could concentrate on work. And the next thing, the Queen appeared and spoke to the staff. We all found her a very gracious lady.”

Another resident who worked at Buckingham Palace is Susie Chiesman, who used to arrange the flowers.

Susie said: “I would spend my time picking and matching colours that would suit the rooms, I have wonderful memories of a happy time.”