It was a red letter day for well-known Fermanagh man, and a former chief executive of Fermanagh District Council, Dr Gerry Burns last week when he met Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to the University of Ulster's Coleraine campus.

Dr Burns, a Chairman of the University's Council, introduced the VIPs to the various staff members. The Queen was visiting Northern Ireland to attend Peter Hain's garden party which, this year, was held on the campus cricket pitch.

It was the Queen's second visit to the University of Ulster, her first coming in 1977 as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations.

The theme of the garden party was 'The Community and Voluntary Sector'. It was attended by around 2,000 guests.

Arriving at the University, the Royals were greeted by Denis Desmond CBE, The Lord-Lieutenant of Derry, and were introduced to the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor before mingling with guests.

To mark the occasion, the Queen accepted an invitation from the Vice-Chancellor to unveil a plaque commemorating her visit and to sign the Visitors' Book.

She also accepted a gift of 24 'Castle of Mey' daffodil bulbs, named after a former holiday home of the late Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and she was presented with a posy by 10-year-old Robyn McNutt, the daughter of Caroline McNutt, PA to Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Magee Provost Professor, Jim Allen.

The event was attended by leading figures from public life, including First Minister, Dr Ian Paisley, the local MP Gregory Campbell and Nigel Hamilton, the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.