PEOPLE from Chard turned out in force to see the Chard Beacon being lit yesterday in celebration of the Queen's 90th birthday.

The beacon was lit at 7.30pm.

A spokesman for the council said: " There is a long and unbroken tradition in our country of celebrating Royal jubilees, weddings, coronations and special birthdays with the lighting of beacons – on top of mountains, churches and battlements, on town and village greens, farms, country parks and estates, and along the beaches surrounding our shores."

There are a number of other events planned for the Queen's birthday this summer, with the next one schedule for mid May.

One Friday, May 13, there will be a 1940s themed event with the three counties swing band and a ploughman's supper.

There will be prizes for best dressed lady and gentleman.

Tickets will be available for £7.50 from Guildhall from May 1.

On Saturday, May 14, from 9am to 12 noon, there will be a craft workshop for children to help design new flags for local shops, which will be hung in the town at the summer festival.

Later on that Saturday, from 3pm to 4.30pm, there will be A Right Royal Tea at the Guildhall.

This will consist of an afternoon tea served by Chard Rotary Club and friends.

Tickets will be available from Guildhall from May 1.

On July 23, there will be a craft and vintage market in Holyrood Street and the Guildhall, as well as live music and entertainment in Crowshute link in the evening.

July 24 will see Jocelyn Park host the Party in the Park event.

More details on this are still yet to come.