DORSET streets will be decked with bunting as local communities prepare to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in style.

The main celebrations have been organised by Difference Makers with the support of Bournemouth Council and will take place in the Lower Gardens, Pier and Promenade between June 1 and 4.

At the pier approach there'll be a pop idol talent contest and dance, aerobics, gymnastics and marshal arts exhibitions.

There'll also be fairground rides, stalls, a carnival band and a variety of further events including a Jubilee Princess and Queen contest.

On Monday evening the After Eight Singers will be performing famous songs from the last 50 years at the Pier Theatre, tickets cost £5 from the BIC box office.

There will also be a number of workshops for children on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

St Peter's Church in Bournemouth is holding a civic service on Sunday from 3pm.

In Wickmeads residential home, Thornbury Road, Southbourne there'll be a garden party on June 1 and Kinson Methodist Church is holding a jubilee prom from 7.30pm.

Richmond Park bowls Club is having a bowls day and lunch on June 2 in aid of the Julia Perks Foundation.

In Southbourne the Beaufort Community Centre is holding a day of entertainment on Sunday.

And in Queen's Park there's a grand picnic in the Park on June 2 from 1pm with live music and plenty of activities.

Moordown St John's School is celebrating with Jelly and blancmange on June 3.

Elsewhere in the county plans for jubilee parties are underway.

Poole celebrations kick off on May 31 at the Queen Mary Pub with fireworks and Rossmore Community College is hosting a sports day to mark 50 years of sport.

On June 2 Canford Heath residents will mark the jubilee with a festival on Ashdown Sports field and the Festival of Running will take place in Poole Park.

The main event for Poole takes place on June 3 with Party At The Park offering attractions from dragon boat racing, clowns, music, a fair and a live BBC broadcast.

And the League of friends at Alderney Hospital is having a garden party in the hospital grounds from 2pm on Sunday.

Fancy dress and a barbecue is on the agenda at St Aldhelm's church in Branksome on June 1 between 12noon and 3pm.

At Wareham quay there'll be a songs of praise type service at 6.30pm on June 2.

A Country House car boot sale is planned for June 2 at Parley Court Farm from 9am.

In Christchurch Somerford Community Association is hosting four days of events and between June 2 and 4 the All Saints church will host the Thorney Hill Flower Festival.

Bransgore parish church hosts the musical 'Hopes and Dreams' on June 1 and 2.

On Monday East Dorset RSPB Members Group and Christchurch Countryside Service are presenting a Jubilee Birdwatch Day at Stanpit Marsh nature Reserve.

On June 3 Ringwood is holding a jubilee festival in Market Place and Sway is hosting a jubilee carnival.

The Ringwood Battle of the Bands and jubilee ball is on June 1.

On June 2 New Milton rotary and Lions is holding a jubilee fiesta and there's a senior citizens jubilee tea in Ringwood.

Schools in Christchurch are also joining in with festivities with fancy dress at Ringwood infant school, a jubilee party at Burton pre-school and red white and blue balloon launch at New Milton Junior and Homefield School.

Sixpenny Handley is having three days of celebrations from June 1 from a Fun Run to a church service and quiz in the village hall.

Holt village hall is holding a jubilee fete between 2pm and 5pm on June 1.

Wimborne has a flower festival between May 31 and June 4 in the Minster. The town's official celebrations are on Redcotts Common on June 4 and include live music, stalls, an evening concert and fireworks.

Throughout the jubilee weekend the Priest's House Museum in Wimborne has a Let's Celebrate Exhibition which traces how Royal occasions have been celebrated in the past.

Brass on the Grass will take place in Ferndown on King George V playing fields with concert brass bands and a firework display. June 1 is Ferndown Carnival Day.

St Marys church hall in Ferndown will hold a jubilee barn dance on June 3 from 5pm.

June 3 is Carnival Day in Verwood, which will conclude with an evening party and lighting of a jubilee beacon. First and middle school children throughout Verwood will be given jubilee mugs.

In Shaftesbury the town band will lead a parade through the town on June 3 which will end at Park Walk with evening entertainment of live music, dancing and fireworks off Melbury Beacon.

On June 4 artwork by Blandford schoolchildren of the royals will be displayed in the Corn Exchange and Blandford church will host a civic service.

Sturminster Marshall is having a fun day and evening entertainment on June 3 on the village green with a tug-of-war and disco.