IT was one of the busiest days in the town's history in July 7 1958 when The Queen visited Largs to open Inverclyde Sports Centre.

History was made as the town received a visit from a reigning British monarch for the first time.

Arriving by car, HM Queen Elizabeth II and her husband The Duke of Edinburgh were given a whistle-stop tour of Moorburn Chambers and Cairnie's Quay before being whisked away on the official train at Largs Railway Station.

With streets, shops and houses bedecked with flags and bunting, Largs was in carnival mood, with 230 police officers on duty and 17 streets closed to traffic to facilitate the royal party.

The royal entourage entered Largs by Greenock Road and was greeted by a specially built 'Welcome to Largs' archway.

At the municipal buildings, the royals were presented to various dignitaries before being taken by car to Inverclyde Sports Centre.

The Queen said it was her pleasure to officially open the sports centre within the 78 acre estate of parkland and recreational grounds.

After inspecting a plaque erected inside the main building commemorating King George VI, the Queen and her entourage spent an hour at the centre watching various sports including judo, fencing and badminton.

Miss Moira Blane, daughter of Principal John Blaine, presented flowers to Her Majesty at a special reception before the couple visited the yacht haven.

After Prince Philip fired the starting cannon for a special race, the royal party returned to the station, where a huge crowd assembled to see them off, with the Queen telling the crowds, 'it has been a lovely day.”