A DUKE has been chosen to play an historic role in the Queen's golden jubilee celebrations.

Duke is a 14-year-old Welsh cob which will take part in a pageant called All the Queen's Horses at next month's Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Its owner, businessman Jim Robson, from Weardale, County Durham, who has been a member of the British Horse Driving Trials Association for 30 years, said: "This is a very, very proud and historic moment for me."

Although Mr Robson has represented Britain at carriage driving championships all over the world, he said he never expected to be asked to take part in such a prestigious and star-studded event.

He and Duke will represent the association's contribution to single-carriage driving - an event made popular by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The pageant, which will take place from May 16 to 18 in Home Park, Windsor, is described in the programme as a celebration of the Queen's love of horses over 50 years.

It will end with a recreation of her coronation procession, using the gold state coach pulled by eight grey horses, a sight not seen since the 1977 silver jubilee.

Mr Robson, chairman of Robsons, a Wolsingham caravan company, said: "We have been told we will be rehearsing for the pageant for three days. It will be something very special and something that will never be seen again.

"It's a great privilege to have been asked to take part."

Although he was presented to the Queen at the Royal Windsor show in 1998, and he has regularly competed against the Duke of Edinburgh at carriage driving events throughout Britain, Mr Robson said this had to be one of the special moments in his life.

He said: "Windsor is a huge park to drive around. I will never forget the first time I competed there.

"I have represented Britain in America and all over Europe, but there is something magical about Windsor."

Mr Robson, 64, said that although he had proved himself an accomplished horseman, he was still "learning something every day".

He is gearing himself up for possible selection to the British team for the world singles championships, to be held in Picardy, France, in August.

Duke will be playing a part.

Mr Robson said: "I believe you only get one really good horse in your life - and for me that is Duke.