The Queen celebrated her 89th birthday this week, a week where we are also awaiting the arrival of her next great grandchild.

And to mark the occasion photographer Andy Abbott has been looking back over Royal visits to Suffolk.

He writes, I remember as a young boy waving my flag among crowds lining Guildhall Street in Bury St Edmunds for a 30- second glimpse of Her Majesty during a royal visit back in the 1960s.

In celebration of a monarch who in September will be the longest serving in British history, I have found some of my favourite images taken over the years.

As a young photographer in his 20s I recall the excitement and trepidation as I was given the responsibility of helping to cover the Silver Jubilee visit to Ipswich in 1977. It was an enlightening experience and it seemed as if the Queen was looking right at me and giving me a special smile – especially as my heart must have been racing at a million miles an hour.

Since then I have been privileged to be part of a media rota party documenting her visits to the region on scores of occasions. Among the places visited have been stables at Newmarket, the Animal Health Trust, Cavendish and the Sue Ryder charity, our military establishments and hospitals. Every time she creates special memories for all those involved.

From these pictures which show royal ceremony and purpose over the decades, there exudes a splendid aura of regal demeanour and elegant grace, a Queen at ease and at one with her people.