FIFTY years ago today Linda Arnold made her first appearance in the world just two minutes after the Queen was crowned.

Born in her grandparents' home at 2.02pm she was Titchfield's only coronation baby - making her an extra-special little girl in the village.

Now 50 years on she still gets recognised by those who remember her proud parents Hilda and John celebrating the birth of their daughter.

And in a surprising coincidence Linda's son John was born in the middle of the Queen's silver jubilee celebrations on June 8, 1976.

The royal link has always made birthdays extra special for the grandmother-of-one who will celebrate her big day today with a fancy restaurant meal.

"I do feel a bit extra special on my birthdays. I remember my parents were always very proud of me being born on that day," said Linda who lives with her partner in Coach Hill.

"The only problem is that it's very difficult to hide your age when everyone knows you were born on the day of the Queen's coronation."

It was Linda's grandfather who bought a small black and white television to watch the big event at the family home in Bellfield.

With neighbours and friends cramming into the living room their celebrations were abruptly interrupted by Linda's arrival upstairs.

"My parents told me how everyone came in to watch the television and lined up against the wall," said Linda, a housewife.

"But then the midwife came and I was born. My granddad and dad celebrated by drinking half a bottle of whisky which is all they could afford then."

As the village's only coronation baby the council gave Linda a five shilling piece, a commemorative silver knife, fork and spoon and an investment certificate cashed at the age of 12 for the princely sum of four pounds, two shillings and sixpence.

Linda's partner of two years Graham Woodage, 48, a stock control clerk, will be making an extra fuss of her today on her special day.

"It's a special date to be born, but she's special to me anyway.

"In a village like Titchfield we are a small community and everyone knows each other and remembers the coronation and Linda's claim to fame.

"She is an absolute cracker."