THEY rolled out the red carpet, put security men on the door and invited the press to see the mystery "VIP".

The guest of honour at the Mumbai Restaurant's Golden Jubilee party was such a closely-guarded secret that even the waiters did not know who was coming for tea.

So they could hardly believe their eyes when a car pulled up and the Queen stepped into the street wearing a tiara.

"It's nice to meet you," she told the crowd as a small boy brought his kitten across Chorley New Road for a closer look.

And as she stepped inside the restaurant a tape recorder played "Land of Hope and Glory" as customers stood agog.

But while she looked just the part in her ball gown, fur stole and slippers there was something amiss -- she was not the real Queen.

Gillian Burt, who was walking past the restaurant when the "Royal" arrived, was nearly fooled -- but not quite.

She said: "When I saw the big car pull up I thought it must be somebody special. Then I looked inside and thought: 'Oh my God, it's the Queen'. But when I looked again I realised it wasn't her. Even so, I still said: 'Good evening your Majesty'."

The Mumbai's owner, Abdul Kalam, had brought the Queen's lookalike to his restaurant to spice up his Jubilee celebrations.

Impersonator Elizabeth Richard, who says she lives near Lambeth Palace in London and is just a few years younger than the real Queen, met the customers and sat down for a special dinner.

Other guests, including a number of civic dignitaries, soon realised she was not the real Queen, but they still enjoyed her company and had a great night.

Mr Kalam said: "We wanted to make this a night to remember. If we had told everyone an impersonator of the Queen was coming then it wouldn't have been as good.

"So we kept the air of mystery and made it a special night. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I think our Queen enjoyed it too."

Jubilee stars - Page 11