MOST people in the region spent yesterday morning glued to the football on the TV and the afternoon celebrating the Queen's 50-year reign.

But a couple from North Yorkshire sacrificed all that to travel to London to take up station on The Mall, to be sure of a glimpse of the Queen during the golden jubilee programme in the capital today and tomorrow.

Louise Robson and Graham Hollingworth took sleeping bags and a few rations to get them through a 36-hour stay.

"I've always been interested in royal history. I love what they represent and the sense of duty and stoicism, and I'm a big fan of tradition and pageantry," said 22-year-old Louise.

She admitted they had taken some ribbing from friends, but said they were determined to put up with the discomfort to be part of an historic occasion