A JAM-PACKED programme of events is being planned by Worcestershire County Council to celebrate the Queens’s Platinum Jubilee.

To celebrate the Queen’s historic 70-year reign, the county council will be supporting and encouraging Worcestershire communities to celebrate in a wide range of ways.

The festivities will also give the council and residents a chance to celebrate Royal links to the county and the achievements of Worcestershire and its people and businesses over the past 70 years.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Lt Col Patrick Holcroft LVO OBE, said: “Plans for county and district celebrations are already well underway, thanks to the enthusiastic support of the county council.

“I am particularly keen to encourage Worcestershire’s towns and villages to hold their own celebrations during the Jubilee weekend of 2 to 5 June.

“Given the difficult times that we have all been through it will be a wonderful opportunity to bring our communities together by holding street parties, a Big Jubilee Lunch, lighting a beacon or planting a tree for The Queen’s Green Canopy.”

The council is set to commission a large exhibition at the Hive in Worcester and other county libraries to include archive film and photography of royal visits.

Councillor Adam Kent, cabinet member with responsibility for corporate services and communication, said: "We know the people of Worcestershire will be keen to get involved and I’d like to encourage people to organise their own events in their own communities and share their stories with us.”

There are plans underway to light a number beacons across the county and land owners are being contacted now to help make this vision a reality.

A Royal-style garden party is also planned to celebrate those who have supported the county.

Residents will be asked to share their plans on a dedicated webpage which is due to be up and running in the coming weeks.

Support is available for communities via a £22million National Lottery fund.

This has been made available to help communities across the country come together to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

Further details about the programme of activities for Worcestershire will be announced in the coming weeks.