A FULL day of activity in Colchester is planned to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The Queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne.

People across the UK will celebrate in a four-day bank holiday weekend from Thursday June, 2 to Sunday, June 5.

Colchester Council has planned a whole day of activity and entertainment for residents to celebrate on Thursday.

It will kick off with the Queen’s birthday gun salute followed by a community picnic in Castle Park from 12pm to 4pm.

Read more >>> Listed: Six events in mid and north Essex for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

This is a free to attend event supported by Community 360 and the Anti Loo Roll Brigade.

During this picnic the Castle Park planting and willow sculptures will be unveiled and a town crier will read the proclamation.

Later in the evening, the town hall, Colchester Castle, Jumbo and the Mercury will be lit up to celebrate the jubilee.

A piper will play Diu Regnare before a civic procession to Castle Park where the beacon will be lit.

Tim Young, deputy mayor of Colchester, said: “Due to our military heritage, our town has a special connection to the Queen.

“I am sure lots of people will want to take part in these celebrations, hold their own traditional street party with their neighbours or watch the council’s beacon being lit.

Read more >>> Village to mark the Queen's jubilee and raise funds to bring back popular fair

“There are lots of ways to mark this once in a lifetime occasion and pay tribute to Her Majesty.”

Colchester has had links to royalty since it was granted the first Royal Charter in 1189, through to the current day annual Royal Birthday Salute.

The council is encouraging everyone to celebrate the jubilee by holding a street party, attending an event or making bunting to hang in their windows at home.

Residents planning to hold small outside events or street parties can visit the council’s jubilee street parties page online at colchester.gov.uk/jubilee to find out more.

n Anyone holding a street party or any other jubilee event can let us know by emailing gazette.newsdesk@newsquest.co.uk.