THE jubilee party on Weymouth beach, which included a tribute to rock superstar Tina Turner, was declared 'simply the best' by fans.

Angie Bennett, who runs Bennett's Water Gardens at Chickerell, kick-started the concert - the first major event of the jubilee weekend - with a medley of classics made famous by the veteran American rocker including Steamy Windows, What's Love Got To Do With It? and Simply the Best.

Angie has been singing for many years but has only recently donned the wig and short skirt to perform a series of Tina Turner tribute concerts.

She will be appearing at Weymouth Pavilion on July 21 with a sound-a-like Elton John.

The beach party audience were thrilled with the showcase of local talent on the Jubilee Stage.

Karen Daubney, 23, from Bothenhampton, near Bridport, said: "It was nice to see local people being given a chance to show what they can do on stage. Things like this are lovely for the children."

Lloyd Spracklen, 41, of Dorchester, was at the concert with wife Margaret and children Charlotte, eight, and George, six.

He said: "We really enjoyed the day. Weymouth has come on leaps and bounds in the last four or five years from an entertainment point of view."

Richard Wood, 27, from Weymouth, hoped the beach concert would be a sign of better things to come.

He said: "People really enjoy lying on the beach listening to music and hopefully we'll get a few more of these events soon because they are very popular with both locals and tourists."

Lazing on the beach, Tina Turner fan Spiky the Lizard looked like he was enjoying himself.

His owner, 19-year-old Chris Grayston from Portland, said: "My mum Wendy is a big fan of Tina Turner and I think Spiky is too. He looked pretty relaxed during the concert."

Later, Wessex FM DJ Dave Webster introduced more bands.

They included young indie band Mr Chuffy, who have been making quite a name for themselves on the local music scene, and Weymouth's new pop idols Here and Now, a tribute to one of the UK's most successful pop bands, Steps.

Put together by Weymouth Operatic Workshop maestro Janet Stockley, the youngsters - whose average age is 17 - wowed the audience with their bubbly routine and Abba-esque melodies.

Children took part in games and competitions on the beach and crowds enjoyed a spectacular firework display in Weymouth Bay on Saturday night.