ORGANISERS of a right royal bash for the Queen's 90th birthday want it to be a celebration not just of the her majesty's big day but also of the Gazette's 200th anniversary and our appeal for Julia's House.

Devizes fundraising group Omnes Ad Unum is organising a royal gala dinner in the town hall on April 21 and half of the proceeds will go to our 200 appeal for Julia's House children's hospice.

Chef Peter Vaughan is backing the fundraisers and has started researching food that will be fit for a queen. He said: "I would like it to be a royal feast and to reflect the sort of food that has been served since Victorian times."

Fittingly Mr Vaughan is a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and one of his colleagues head chef to the royal household Mark Flanagan is helping him to come up with food that the royal family themselves would enjoy.

Mr Vaughan said he wants to serve a starter of canapes that would normally be part of a state banquet and enjoyed by foreign royalty and heads of state. These are likely to be followed by a sit down main course of large sharing platters of things such as Victorian boiled beef.

The dessert course be a take on afternoon tea or traditional sherry trifle served in Martini glasses.

Mr Vaughan said: "I really enjoy researching the history of food and this is a wonderful opportunity to give people a taste of some fantastic dishes from different periods."

The evening will also include the cutting of a three tier cake of Elizabethan sponge that will be topped with a crown.

Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Devizes actress Rosemary Hawthorne, who is better known at The Knicker Lady. Her funny one woman show has been a hit across the country and is well known as an after dinner speaker. She will bring along a number of props including a pair of Queen Victoria's knickers.

Mrs Hawthorne, who was classically trained at RADA, is also a social historian who has appeared on The Great British Sewing Bee advising Claudia Winkleman on the history of fashion.

She said: "I am delighted to be taking part in the evening and supporting Julia's House."

Omnes Ad Unum was formed last year as a support group for St John's Church and fundraiser for community organisations and charities in the town.

Chairman of Devizes Friends of Julia's House Alison Radevsky said: "What a great way for Devizes to celebrate Her Majesty's birthday, with a superb and very special fundraising dinner. We are so pleased that Omnes ad Unum have chosen to support Julia's House - I'm sure the Queen would approve heartily."

The dinner will have a theme of red, white and blue or black tie. Corporate tickets for the event cost £300 for a table of ten. For table reservations and to find out more about individual tickets contact Mike Sanders on 01380 725009 or 07770 944261.