Devizes Town Council has announced the first of its plans to celebrate The Queen’s platinum jubilee in June – with a huge lunch for hundreds at Hillworth Park.

To mark Her Majesty’s record-breaking 70-year reign, the council is organising four days of events from Thursday to Sunday, June 2 to 5.

Although the full schedule of celebrations has yet to be finalised, the Bank Holiday royal weekend will include, on the Thursday night, the tradition of lighting the town’s beacon at the White Horse on Roundway Hill, as part of a chain of more than 1,500 beacons that will be lit across the UK.

On the Friday there will be a Jubilee-themed market in the Market Square plus a dinner with entertainment at the town hall.  

The Saturday will see another market and a race evening at the Corn Exchange, which the council hopes will replicate The Queen’s visit that day to The Derby.

The race evening will be followed by a disco playing the hits from the seven decades of Her Majesty’s reign.  

On Sunday June 5, a service of thanksgiving for The Queen will be held at St John’s Church at 10.30am, followed by the Big Jubilee Lunch at Hillworth Park.

The council said: “The Big Jubilee Lunch will encourage the community to celebrate their connections and get to know each other, coming together in a spirit of fun and friendship.”

Those attending the lunch will be asked to bring their own picnic, blanket or seating but music and entertainment will be provided.

More Devizes events to celebrate the Jubilee are expected to be announced soon.