THE sun shone and people came out to celebrate at street parties and events for the Queen's Jubilee.

Communities decorated their streets and turned on the music for parties and picnics across the county.

In Lennox Street, Weymouth, the Waterside Weymouth Community Forum organised a party with displays and entertainments.

Hayley Thorpe, event co-ordinator, said she was delighted that everyone had rallied round for the street party.

Organising jubilee events runs in the family for Louise Dando.

Louise, along with fellow Knightsdale Road residents, Brian Hawker, Allaina Arnold and Lynn Grimshaw, arranged a big picnic at the Marsh sports ground in Weymouth for the road's residents.

Louise's mother, June Brown, had organised a silver jubilee event in Portland.

Weymouth's oldest pub, the Boot Inn, joined High West Street and the Belvedere Inn to organise a big street party.

The event also aimed to raise money for the local Brownie pack and new Guide pack due to start on June 10.

Boot Inn landlord and organising committee chairman Trevor Vacher-Dean said that they expected well over 1,000 people by the end of the day.

Lorna Charnock, guider in charge of the packs, said that they were very grateful for the support.

She said: "Everybody has rallied round and has been helping. It's a wonderful atmosphere."

On Portland everyone enjoyed a host of fun, frolics and food when Jubilee celebrations were held in Easton Gardens.

There were plenty of Union Flags in sight in Easton Methodist Hall while a bouncy castle did brisk business.

Many people also took the opportunity to dress up and enjoy themselves in style at an event which enjoyed heavy support from the community.

And a party at Portland Castle gave everyone a chance to get into the historic swing of things.

Staff dressed up in 1950s-style clothing and youngsters called the party tune with the help of a Victorian musician.

Head custodian Antoinette Woollven said: "There was also face painting, brass rubbing, a chance to try on armour, games and picnics."

Meanwhile, the bells rang out in Langton Herring as villagers turned out for a memorable street party.

They lined the streets of the picturesque village to toast the Golden Jubilee in style.

Throughout West Dorset communities joined forces fore the biggest celebration since the Silver Jubilee in 1977.

More than 500 people enjoyed a street party in Charmouth with tables stretching the entire length of the main street. And hundreds turned out to watch fireworks light up the night sky above Lyme Regis harbour to round off a memorable day.

Meanwhile, youngsters took to their skateboards, skates and bikes at Lodmoor skate park for a jubilee jam. The event, which also aimed to raise funds for the park, included competitions.

And with dozens of people attending, it was full to capacity. Matt Henson, 16, from Dorchester, said he thought the idea was great and there was something for everybody.

Organiser Kit Johnson agreed. "The children like the idea of celebrating the jubilee and have really got into the spirit of things, " she said.

And in Weymouth vintage vehicles gave a flavour of times past as they paraded along the Esplanade.