Platinum Jubilee celebrations a great success

• Great events enjoyed by many people celebrating historic occasion
• Jubilee Beacon lit on same evening as others across the UK
• Lots of fun activities for the children

Residents flocked to events planned by West Lancashire Borough Council and local groups to celebrate the Jubilee in style.

West Lancashire celebrations began on Thursday with a family event in Coronation Park Ormskirk where Skelmersdale Prize Band played the national anthem on the bandstand beautifully decorated by The Sewing Rooms.

Street entertainers, the Acro Chaps, helped the afternoon go with a swing and dance troupes got everyone's toes tapping with their great routines. Local schoolchildren showed off the wonderful crowns they had been creating for the Jubilee in a parade.

In the evening, the celebrations moved to Beacon Country Park, where a large crowd gathered to watch the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Martin Ainscough DL, light the beacon for the Jubilee.

And the fun continued the following day at Skelmersdale amphitheatre with an entertaining afternoon supported by the Friends of Tawd Valley Park and live music organised by the Engine Rooms.

Football tournaments and turf sledging were amongst some of the top activities for the children to enjoy and Skelmersdale Heritage Society showcased photos of the area from times gone by.

Councillor Mrs Marilyn Westley, Mayor of West Lancashire, who officially opened both park events and was one of the guests at the lighting of the Beacon, said: "It was great to see so many people out enjoying the wonderful celebrations. I hope the festivities will have helped create some wonderful memories of this historic occasion."

Councillor Coughlan, portfolio holder for Leisure, said: "I am so proud of how West Lancashire celebrated together and I would like to thank the hard work and dedication of our staff, partners and volunteers who worked together to make these events so successful and enjoyable for all."