HUNDREDS of townsfolk drew up their seats for a picnic in Dorchester town centre to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Coronation.

Dark skies loomed again, but the sun broke through 10 minutes before the picnic was due to kick off.

Families and friends thronged the street as people from Dorset County Hospital's Ridgeway Radio kept them amused with music and announcements, including three birthdays.

Nine-year-old Luke Stacey, from Windsor Road, was very excited at sharing his birthday with the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

His birthday this year has been a full party weekend.

He said: "I think it's special, having my birthday on the same day.

"There aren't many people who have their birthday today."

Mary Jenkins, 74, from Bristol, was tucking into a magnificent spread with champagne and strawberries with her family and friends.

She said: "I've been to five jubilee parties over the last few days!

"In 1977 there were more people out to celebrate the Silver Jubilee but this is a lot of fun."

Town councillors, who had been planning this weekend's events meticulously for a year, joined the partygoers as they unwrapped their sandwiches and drank wine in the sunshine.

Mayor Trevor Jones said: "Many people have brought their picnics, chatting to each other and exchanging friendships - this is what community life should be about.

"The high point of the weekend for me was the beacon lighting, when hundreds and hundreds of townsfolk paraded to Salisbury Fields to watch ours being lit.

"We have had four days of events altogether and it has been wonderful."

Villagers in Prince Charles' Poundbury made merry with a street party for the children in the afternoon, followed by an open-air ceilidh for all the family to enjoy.

Jubilee mugs, designed by 13-year-old Daniel Bowles, of Middlemarsh Street and six-year-old Ebony McCarthy, of Brookhouse Street, were given to all the youngsters and there was a bouncy castle and volleyball tournaments.

Residents in Caernarvon Close also celebrated the jubilee with a street party, bringing plates of food to pile up on the groaning tables for the festivities.