A FREE party is being thrown in Taunton's Vivary Park to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Somerset West and Taunton Council is staging the free event in the town’s Jewel in the Crown park on Sunday, June 5.

The Big Jubilee Lunch will run from 11am to 4.30pm with everyone invited to take their own picnic, rugs, chairs and flags.

The event will be officially opened at midday by the Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Sue Lees, with outside broadcast support from Tone FM.

Somerset County Gazette:

Taunton's Vivary Park.

There will be entertainment to suit all ages with theatre performances, games and activities.

Music from the Wellington Silver Band, the King Alfred Concert Band and the Taunton Rock Choir will keep the celebrations in full swing.

During the afternoon there will be a Commemorative Pebble Treasure Hunt, a Competition of the Crown and a fancy dress parade with arts and crafts support and materials being supplied by Taunton’s GoCreate.

The Big Jubilee Lunch will close with a ceremonial toast to the Queen with the Somerset Opera leading a last night of the proms style singalong of the National Anthem, Land of Hope and Glory, and Rule Britannia.

Members of the public are welcome to attend a family service of thanksgiving for the Queen's 70 years on the throne at Taunton Minster (St Mary Magdalene Church) at 10am before the Big Jubilee Lunch, as well as a choral evensong at the Minster afterwards at 5pm.

There are a host of commemorative events being planned during the Jubilee celebrations when Somerset West and Taunton Council will be decorating the district with red, white and blue planters and hanging baskets filled with plants from its own nursery.

The council has also established a Beacon Trail in Taunton encouraging people to explore the town and spot seven characters with a connection to Buckingham Palace.

As you locate each of the characters displayed on window stickers by businesses around the town, you can scan a unique QR code to engage with the story and learn about a different decade in the Queen's 70 year reign.

The trail runs until Tuesday, June 12 and information can be obtained from the Taunton Visitor Centre.