THE air was shattered by the roar of artillery fire yesterday as the Army made a little bit of history when it celebrated the anniversary of the Queen ascending the throne.

No fewer than five firsts were chalked up as the powerful guns blasted their royal message across the rooftops of York.

It was the first time a woman - Lieutenant Celia Catton - had commanded a gun troop in York, and the first time the city had held a royal salute for the accession.

It was also the first time Major General Nick Parker, the new general officer commanding the 2nd Division, had taken the salute, which was hosted for the first time by Brigadier David Shaw, the commander of 15 (North-East) Brigade.

The ceremony in the city's Museum Gardens also marked the debut of the Army's 105mm light field guns in the saluting role.

The guns have replaced the 25-pounder field guns that were withdrawn from ceremonial duties last year.

The guns have already seen service in the Falklands and latterly in Afghanistan, and are the type likely to be used in any war with Iraq.

They were fired by a troop from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Topcliffe, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, which was commanded by Lt Catton. Born in Norfolk and a graduate of Sunderland University, she has been with the regiment since passing out from Sandhurst a year ago. She is also the Army's slalom kayak champion.

More than 100 spectators clamped their hands against their ears as the shots rang out at 15-second intervals, and were entertained by music from the King's Division Waterloo Band, which is based at Catterick, North Yorkshire.

The right of being a saluting station for the armed forces was granted to York in 1971, when the city commemorated its 1,900th anniversary.

There are 12 saluting stations, including York, the four national capitals, various military establishments and Gibraltar.