EXACTLY 70 years ago on Sunday (February 6), Her Majesty the Queen ascended the throne on the death of her father.

We’ve gone into the archive to see how we reported on that epoch-making event.

King George VI died in his sleep at Sandringham aged 57 on Wednesday, February 6, 1952.

The Dean Forest Mercury carried the news two days later on the front page.

It said: "We join the Nation in its feelings of deep grief at the passing of our beloved Sovereign King George VI."

The paper also offered "allegiance to another Queen Elizabeth and (we) pray that her reign will be long, happy and rich with peace."

News of the King’s death reached Lydney police station while the monthly petty sessions court was being held.

It had come in a phone call from police headquarters and was relayed to the court by Inspector A E Leakey.

The last case was being heard and when it finished all present stood in silence.

The Forest of Dean police division’s ball which had been due to take place at Lydney Town Hall on the Friday was postponed but both the Coleford and Westbury branches of the National Farmers’ Union held their annual dinners as planned.

Union Jacks at Lydney and Coleford British Legion clubs and at the Cinderford factory of Meredith and Drew - which produced cream crackers - were flown at half mast.

Prayers were said in schools and then lessons resumed.

There was a muffled peal of bells in Lydney.

Her Majesty is the longest-serving in British history and 2022 marks her Platinum Jubilee.

On Saturday, Her Majesty issued a message thanking the public and her family for their support - and renewing her pledge from 1947 to devote her life to the service of the country.

She wrote: "As I look ahead with hope to my Platinum Jubilee year, I am reminded how much we can be thankful for.

"These last seven decades have seen extraordinary progress socially, technologically and culturally that have benefited us all.

Bound copies of the Mercury and the other papers that were the predecessors of The Forester are kept in the archive managed by Cinderford Town Council.

Material in the archive is available to the public who should contact the town council to make an appointment.