A MAN was arrested for possessing a pickaxe handle just yards from where the Queen was due to begin her walkabout.

Around 30 minutes before the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were due to walk around St George's Square, uniformed police and royal protection officers swooped.

After a short struggle the man was handcuffed before being pulled over a barrier and led away.

A plastic bag was confiscated and a long brown pickaxe handle could be seen protruding from it.

As the suspect was led away he looked distressed and complained that his arm was hurting.

Police said the man was in his 30s and had been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon.

He is expected to appear in court next Friday.

The square was packed with adults and children waiting for the royal party to arrive.

One woman was trying to attract the police's attention and alert them to the man.

The incident happened just yards from where the royal party got out of their cars.

It is understood that police had been watching the man for some time.