CROWDS gathered at Wellington Monument last night as the landmark's lights were switched on to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
The obelisk's lights were switched on at 9:45pm to coincide with the lighting of beacons in Somerset and across the country.
The event was organised by the National Trust, Wellington Without Parish Council, and the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Monument volunteer John Greenshields spoke to the crowds to mark the start of the celebration, explain the order of events, and thank the crowd for attending.
Members of the public sang the national anthem together before trumpeter Davina played 'Majesty', an arrangement put together for the Platinum Jubilee.
Before the Jubilee bank holiday weekend began, Hilary McGrady, director-general of the National Trust, said: “As part of the celebrations, the trust is proud to take part in the lighting of historic beacons, from Mow Top with its views of the Staffordshire Moorlands, to Cornwall's Chapel Corn Brea, Britain's westernmost hill.
“They will continue a royal tradition, with beacons illuminating the landscape just as they did for Her Majesty's Golden and Diamond Jubilees.”
The Queen lit the first beacon yesterday evening at Windsor Castle but will not be attending today's national service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
A Buckingham Palace statement said yesterday evening: “The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort.
“Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s national service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend.”
Beacon-lighting events were also held Wellington's Hilly Head and Glastonbury Tor, another National Trust site.
Wellington Monument re-opened in August after a £3 million restoration project, which saw the 53-metre (175ft) obelisk have its pyramidion - triangular section at the top - almost entirely replaced.
A total of 1,508 new stones were added to the monument, all of which were hand-tooled by masons.
The Red Arrows will be performing a flypast over Wellington tomorrow (Saturday, June 4) at 2:33.
The RAF's Aerobatic team will be visible over the town centre during its street fair.
The Red Arrows will also be visible from Vivary Park at 2:32pm and Minehead at 2:37pm.
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