UK-wide celebrations for Jubilee

Celebrations to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee are not only confined to London - events will be taking place all over the length and breadth of the country as well.

From a record attempt for the longest line of bunting, to a party in a phone box and a Jubilee-themed cheese rolling competition, the British love for all things eccentric is clearly visible.

Villagers in Goudhurst, Kent, have created an intricate replica of the Houses of Parliament using laser-cut plywood which will appear to float on the village pond over the bank holiday.

On Sunday, 300 small wooden boats made by local schoolchildren will be launched against the backdrop of the model Parliament to mimic the pageant planned to take place on the River Thames.

The 30ft-long structure is 14ft-tall at Big Ben, its highest point, and has taken a team four weeks to build in a barn.

Ed Bates, from the village's Jubilee committee, said: "It will be nice to see so many big smiles.

"At a time of recession there is no reason not to smile just because people are feeling the pinch. It is an occasion for people to be happy, and we have had a lot of positive feedback."

In Eastbourne, East Sussex, thousands of people are expected to line the route as bands, floats, roller skaters and dancers take part in a carnival procession.

Thousands are also expected to turn out to watch a round of Double Gloucester cheese be chased down Cooper's Hill near Gloucester, while the Siege of Newstead Abbey, an English Civil War re-enactment, will take place at Newstead Abbey Historic House and Gardens near Nottingham.

Nearly 2,000 enthusiasts will dress up in period clothing and take part in the battle complete with cannon fire and cavalry charges, which is being put on by the Sealed Knot living history organisation.

A cocktail created for the Navy by the Dukes Hotel in London's Mayfair will also be launched.

The tipple, named Dukes Royal Navy Jubilee, will be part of celebrations in Portsmouth, where Navy warship HMS Diamond which will fire a 21-gun salute as it sails into port ahead of a street party on its flight deck.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is opening the gardens of his grand residence to mark the celebrations.

He's hosting a gala in the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace, near York, which will include music, beacon lighting and a firework display.

The Archbishop said: "The Queen's love and devotion to God and to her people throughout her 60-year reign has set us a fine example of selfless and generous service.

"Like many others, I am looking forward to her Diamond Jubilee and wanted to make the grounds available to local people to mark this occasion."

On Monday, the banks of the Humber are expected to be lined by thousands of people for the Humber Diamond Jubilee Flotilla.

A total of 60 vessels - one for each year of the Queen's reign - are due to take part in the event which reflects the flotilla which gathered on the Humber 115 years ago to celebrate Queen Victoria's 60-year reign.

A 21-gun salute will be held at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday, the anniversary of the Queen's coronation, by 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers).

Also in the Scottish capital, the Royal Yacht Britannia will honour the Queen's 60th year on the throne with a weekend of celebrations, including entertainment, cake and flags being given out.

Chatsworth House in Bakewell, Derbyshire, will play host to a 1950s-themed British summer party over the four-day bank holiday.

Visitors can enjoy a giant street party, with a 100m decorated table, and enjoy a traditional village fete.

Guests can also take a themed walking tour around the gardens to see all the royal links with Chatsworth, including the visit of 13-year-old Princess Victoria, the only other monarch in British history to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, in 1832.

Inside the house, robes worn by four generations of the Cavendish family at the Queen's Coronation and the Devonshire state chariot used by the 11th Duke to attend it will be on display until the end of August.

In Wales, a special Jubilee teddy bear's tea party which promises to treat both guests and cuddly toys like royalty is taking place at Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, while Ffos Las Racecourse in Carmarthenshire will host a Diamond Jubilee race day on Tuesday.

The long weekend will also see not one but three record attempts for the longest line of bunting taking place elsewhere.

In Clumber, Nottinghamshire, residents will be holding a street party and visitors can also contribute to the world record attempt.

The Guinness record is currently a line of bunting measuring 3,427.94m long. To break that record, the Clumber team aim to string more than 20,000 pieces of bunting together, while in Cheddar, Somerset, and Morchard Bishop in mid-Devon, record attempts are also being made.

Also in Devon, Topsham near Exeter will see a line of around 350 tables laid out together for a massive dinner party. A similar event held previously had around 2,000 people sitting down to eat.

Elsewhere in the South West, Bath's buildings will shine a light on the Jubilee celebrations with a spectacular light show and visual effects display beamed across many of the city's historic buildings.

The council has commissioned Enlightened Lighting to collaborate with Bath Spa University and create a series of art projections around the city.

Northern Ireland, which will be visited by the Queen herself later this month, will also mark the Jubilee with a special tea party in Belfast's City Hall, while a huge street party will be held in the city's Grove Park.