One quite amazed at Lincoln's Inn.

THE QUEEN was left amazed by a new PS20 million teaching centre created in the historic grounds of one of the capital's Inns of Court.

The monarch was joined by the Duke of York for the visit to Lincoln's Inn and after touring the subterranean Ashworth Centre, and being shown its well-lit lecture auditorium, she said: "Amazing - really light underground."

Named in honour of Mercy Ashwoth, one of the first female members of the Inn to practise as a barrister in England and Wales, it was excavated over two floors during a two-year project.

After the Queen's comment Lord Justice Patten, treasurer of Lincoln's Inn, joked with the monarch saying: "We're like Russian oligarchs who dig underground."

Lincoln's Inn is one of the capital's historic four Inns of Court alongside Gray's Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple, and is home to a number of barristers' chambers and solicitors' offices.

CAPTION(S):

The Queen visits The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn in London; below, The Duke of York was also in attendance yesterday TOBY MELVILLE