CHIDDINGFOLD will be lighting up the night sky next week to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

In common with other towns and villages across the UK and its overseas territories, the unique moment in history will be marked by the lighting of a beacon on the village green on Thursday, April 21.

The right Royal occasion will be a fitting way to mark the milestone within the community and add to a tradition which has continued in the village for more than 70 years.

Asked by the parish council, the bonfire committee agreed to arrange the special event which is due to take place around dusk at 8.30 pm.

Committee president Harold Mullard, who celebrated his 93rd birthday in March, stressed the importance of lighting a beacon, which during his lifetime has commemorated the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935; the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953: her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and more recently her Diamond Jubilee.

Beacons were also lit in the village as part of the 1945 Victory in Europe celebrations and later in the same year for Victory in Japan, which was included in the film The Years Between.

Teas, coffee and hot chocolate will be available on the evening with any profits distributed locally.