SIXTY years ago, the eyes of Oxfordshire – and the rest of the world – turned towards a young 25-year-old woman about to be proclaimed Queen.

Elizabeth, soon to be British monarch and Head of the Commonwealth, discovered her father had died on February 6, 1952.

Just days later, thousands of people thronged into the centre of Oxford to hear her proclaimed Queen outside Carfax Tower.

The Oxford Mail reported how as the clock chimed noon on February 9, buglers sounded a fanfare and the bells rang out.

A year later – and exactly 59 years ago today – Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey in front of the whole world.

Thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of her carriage as people in Oxfordshire crammed into neighbours’ houses to watch the spectacle on television.

Among the London crowds was Kath Peedall, now 77, from Botley. She was volunteering with St John Ambulance and travelled to London with a coachload of volunteers from Oxford. She said: “I remember it being a damp and horrible day but there was so much excitement.

“We were stood at the front to watch the crowds.

“When the carriage went by I think I had as good a view as any of the people who had slept overnight for their spot.

“I still have vivid memories of it all to this day.”

Hazel Bleay watched the Coronation with her parents-in-law and their brand new television in Marston.

The 81-year-old, now of Thame, said: “We lived in Old Marston. The Friar pub had lots of decorations outside.

“They had been persuaded to buy this television with a small black and white screen, and doors to open on it. They had bought it specially.

“So we were all crammed in watching the scenes. It was something you never forget.”

Liz Brandon, 72, from Blackbird Leys remembered cycling for miles to pick up a special commemorative cup.

She said: “All the children were given a free cup to celebrate the Coronation.

“Of course, there weren’t as many cars then.

“But because I had the cup in a bag attached to my handlebars, it had all broken by the time I got home.

“I was so disappointed.”