A sailor from Ayr has guarded the Queen at her funeral – 70 years after his grandfather guarded her at the coronation.

Twenty-year-old Murray Kerr from Ayr served as a street liner to guard the Queen’s coffin along the route of procession.

The Royal Navy member followed in his 92 year-old grandfather John Kerr’s footsteps who, as a member of the Navy in 1953, guarded the Queen during her coronation procession.

John, who lives in Irvine, was on National Service with the Scots Guards when he was appointed to be one of the Queen’s street liners.

Murray said: “My grandad has always spoken with pride about his time in the Guards, but the one thing, whenever I mention anything ceremonial, was about being at the Queen’s coronation.

"That was a defining part of his life, not just his career.

“He has always been a role model for me. He carried everything he learned in the Guards into his civilian life. He still polishes his shoes. Irons all of his clothes.

"Everything is neat. Everything is pressed.

“All these things have come down to me being on parade on Monday for the Queen’s funeral, with the aim of being the smartest and best group that lines the streets.

"That’s what I want for my team. That’s what all of us want.”

Also inspired by his father who serves as a fireman, Murray has been passionate about serving since his childhood.

Murray and the other members of the Royal Navy’s ceremonial guard underwent intensive ceremonial training to prepare for the funeral on Monday.

The Royal Navy pulling the State Ceremonial Gun Carriage bearing the Queen’s coffin is a duty they have performed since the funeral of Queen Victoria in 1901.

Murray added:“My grandfather was telling me all about it. He said there was nothing he wished he’d done differently because of the way everything turned out.

“He never thought he should have moved his foot another half inch to the left when he stood at ease, there was no ‘I wish I held my rifle a little bit straighter’. There is none of this 70 years later.

"There is the memory of him being part of the biggest ceremonial event of the time.

“You sweat the small stuff beforehand but once you’re out there, you polish your boots, your brass, everything to the nth degree.

"Your uniform is pressed infinitely. As soon as you march out the gates as part of your half company, all that matters is that you’re there and you do the best that you can.

“The history books will say the ‘Royal Navy lined the streets as The Queen was taken into Westminster Abbey for her funeral’.”