No stone unturned: The massive operation to protect Prince William and Kate along the royal wedding route

Every nook and cranny along the route that Prince William and Kate Middleton will take on their wedding day is being searched by police.

As Union Jack bunting goes up on Regent Street and flags are raised across central London, elsewhere the focus is on more sinister stuff in the form of a huge anti-terrorism operation.

Police have launched one of the biggest security operations the country has ever seen - estimated to cost £20 million - to protect William and Kate and world leaders.

Drains have been lifted, the insides of lampposts scoured and even the fronts of the boxes on pedestrian crossing buttons have been removed as every inch of the wedding route is searched for explosives.

Fingertip search: Drains have been lifted along the Mall, leading up to Buckingham Palace, as police search for explosives

Nothing is left to chance with the inner workings of traffic lights and lamp posts searched for explosives

Even the inner workings of a pedestrian crossing button could contain a bomb

All around Westminster Abbey, along Whitehall, across Horse Guards Parade and down the Mall specialist officers have taken apart street furniture looking for any suspicious items.

The operation will continue right up to the last minute when the focus of attention will then turn on the people that have turned out to cheer the newly weds.

With so many members of the Royal Family, senior members of the Government, A-list celebrities and 50 heads of state in attendance, the wedding is believed to be a prime target for terrorists.

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