SCHOOL pupils received a right royal surprise after a letter from the Queen arrived in the post last week.

Children at Howbridge Junior School sent a letter, card and photo to the Queen as part of their History of British Music lessons during the last academic year.

The pupils, who are now in Year 4, received a response from Balmoral Castle which thanked them for their letter.

The youngsters at the Witham school wrote the letter about Armed Forces Day, held in June, which they marked by singing the national anthem with a serving solider.

They also wrote to congratulate the monarch on the 65th anniversary of her coronation.

Dianna Brumby, music leader at the school, said: "We at Howbridge School are incredibly proud of their performance and are ecstatic that they have received such prestigious recognition from Her Majesty The Queen."