THE Queen today celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Royal Artillery - the 'Gunners' who provide the firepower for the British Army.

The monarch - the Royal Artillery's Captain-General - attended a review of the Royal Regiment of Artillery at its headquarters in Larkhill on Salisbury Plain.

During the ceremony the monarch - who is the Royal Artillery's Captain-General - will inspect the armoured parade from a State Review Range Rover,

Accompanied by the Master Gunner General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, the Queen inspected the armoured parade from a State Review Range Rover,

After giving a speech the Queen watched a ride and drive past led by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery - who fire ceremonial gun salutes in the capital on major royal and state occasions.

A "feu de joie" - a celebratory cascade of rifle fire - was also be performed as the ceremony concludes.

Guns were first used by the English in the 14th century, but it would be hundreds of years later before a permanent force of artillery was formed.

Three hundred years ago to the day - May 26, 1716 - the first two permanent companies of Royal Artillery were formed by Royal Warrant in the reign of George I.

The two companies numbered 100 men each and were based at Woolwich, south east London, alongside the guns, powder and shot located in the Royal Arsenal.