The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh braved the cold and snow on Sunday to attend a church service on the eve of the monarch's Diamond Jubilee anniversary.

The royal couple joined the congregation at West Newton Church in the heart of the sovereign's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

St Peter and St Paul in West Newton looked picturesque under a four-inch blanket of snow.

The Queen wore a golden brown Angela Kelly overcoat and matching hat with fur trim and the Duke a camel coat against sub-zero temperatures.

After a 45-minute service led by the Rev Jonathan Riviere, the Queen received flowers from waiting children before a short visit to a local Sunday school class.

The Queen and Philip are coming to the end of their traditional winter break at Sandringham.

Their time at the estate has also provided the Duke with the opportunity to convalesce after he was successfully treated at hospital for a blocked coronary artery just before Christmas.

After church Philip, a life member of the Royal British Legion, had been due travel to nearby King's Lynn to take the salute at the 90th anniversary parade of the King's Lynn and District branch. The parade was cancelled because of the snow.

The monarch's Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated on Monday - Accession Day - when her reign reaches the milestone of 60 years. The Queen usually spends the day privately but has two engagements planned.

The monarch will visit King's Lynn Town Hall, where she will meet staff from the building and Borough Council, and view some historical artefacts in the Stone Hall. She has also been invited to Dersingham Infant and Nursery School where she will tour the institution meeting pupils and staff before watching a play about her 60 years as sovereign performed by the children.