THEY share her birthday - and feel pride for the job she has done.

Hampshire residents born on the same day as the Queen gathered for a lunch to mark the event.

A total of 13 of the county's citizens share the Queen's exact birthday tomorrow and while two were picked to have lunch with the monarch herself yesterday at Buckingham Palace, the others enjoyed a meal with the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan. Among them was one woman who shares even more than most with the Queen - Elizabeth Alexandria Mary Strand.

Mother-of-two Elizabeth, from Hythe, said: "It's never felt strange sharing the birthday, but I have always taken more of an interest in what she does perhaps because we were born on the same day.

"The funny thing is, like the Queen I was born in the early hours of the morning. Well, when the doctor came back to see my mum later that day he brought a copy of a newspaper with him and told my mum 'Looks like you've got yourself a distinguished little daughter'.

"Well, my mum was so taken with that idea that she named me after Her Majesty too, so I have her name and her age. Just a pity I don't have her money."

Another enjoying yesterday's meal in the surroundings of the former Grand Jury Room at Hampshire County Council, was Patricia "Betty" Ryan from Southampton.

She said: "It's wonderful to be here today to celebrate the Queen's birthday - it makes me feel quite cocky and proud. It's never been weird sharing the birthday, though growing up in Netley it was a bit odd because it was a small place then, and because of when my birthday was, everyone always knew my age.

"I could never lie and tell people it was my 21st again for the fifth time - they simply didn't believe me."

Also proud was former local government officer Clifford Greatex from Gosport, who said: "Of course I've always known I shared Her Majesty's birthday, mostly because there was a running joke in the family whereby every year they would play the National Anthem for me in honour of our shared date.

"I'm very proud of the job the Queen has done for this country, and I hope she carries on for as long as we are both around - which I hope will be a long time yet."

Welcoming her guests, Mrs Fagan said: "So many people have asked me to pass on their good wishes to the Queen for this special day, and I have sent Her Majesty a message of loyal greetings from Hampshire."

There will be a special service in Winchester Cathedral on Sunday, June 18 to mark the Queen's official birthday.