DEVIZES is to open the Queen's jubilee celebrations on Monday June 3 with a royal walkabout.

Her Majesty may not actually be appearing in person, but the town has found its own celebrity impersonator, Wharf Theatre actress Merrily Powell, to take on the role.

During the celebrations, Mrs Powell will walk from Devizes Castle to the Market Place, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, alias Ann Lake, a nurse and volunteer at the theatre.

The royal party will be escorted into the Market Place by the Wiltshire Constabulary Band.

Mrs Powell is the perfect choice to play the Queen, as her answerphone used to feature an impersonation of Her Majesty.

The actress, who lives in Devizes, has not met the Queen, but was in the crowd when she attended a Maundy Thursday service at Salisbury Cathedral 25 years ago.

She said: "I think the Queen is amazing. She puts duty before herself. I think the death of the Queen Mother showed just how much the country loved her."

Mrs Powell is hoping the celebrations in Devizes will be a fun day out for all the family.She said: "I will do my bit to give a feeling of royal presence but I will keep my speech nice and brief and there will be nothing political in it.

"I'm glad Devizes is doing something, it should make for a good atmosphere and I think it will be great fun."

And the stroll will be given a truly authentic flavour by the actress's other travelling companions Corgis.

Giselle and her daughter Amina are the pair of pooches who will be adding a regal air to the celebrations.

The Corgis' owner is Jillian Newsom of Seend, who is delighted they will be taking part in the celebrations.

Their participation is apt as they are descendants of royal litters of Corgis Giselle's father sired a litter which the Queen kept as pets.

Giselle is nine years-old and Amina is seven.

Mrs Newsom, an artist, grew up with Corgis when she was a child and has owned several.

She said: "Giselle and Amina are happy dogs and they have good temperaments. I am sure they will enjoy taking part in the procession."

Mrs Newsom, 57, met the Queen when she was 18, when she accompanied her father to a function at the Guildhall in London. "She is immensely easy to speak to and she does remember people she has met before. I remember I was struck by her beautiful blue eyes and nice complexion," she said.

Mrs Newsom's husband, Peter, 58, met the Queen at Buckingham Palace ten years ago when the company he worked for in Newbury won a technology award.

Mrs Newsom, who also has three German Shepherd dogs, says it is appropriate for the country to unite in celebration for the golden jubilee. There will be entertainment throughout the day in the Market Place including The Major Wrecks, the Devizes Town Band and Bromham magician Jack Stephens concluding with a church service in the Moat of the Castle Grounds at about 5.30pm.

The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment will be running activities all day, including tug of war and a mini assault course.

If you wish to enter a team for these, fax Major Nigel Walker on (01722) 421626.

At both locations, there will be an array of stalls and beer tents.