CHIPPING Sodbury flew the flag for the Diamond Jubilee with two days of memorable events enjoyed by all the community.

The town turned out in force for a traditional street party in Broad Street on Sunday which saw neighbours come together to toast The Queen. Despite the downpours, 2,000 people partied under gazebos and watched entertainment from the Sodbury Players, Razzamatazz Theatre School, New Generation Dance, young bands By the Second and Before the Storm and singer Katie Salt.

A fancy dress competition was judged by fashion designer Charlotte Todd, who made the see-through dress Kate Middleton wore in a charity fashion show in 2002.

On Bank Holiday Monday, the town’s sports clubs held activities at The Ridings play area with performances from King Edmund Acrogymnastics Club and family fun including face painting, a Punch and Judy show and Alfredo the clown.

A further 3,000 people came together in the evening to watch the Diamond Jubilee concert from Buckingham Palace on a giant screen. Waving flags and bunting, the crowd was then thrilled by a spectacular fireworks display paid for by Sodbury Town Council before the lighting of the town’s beacon.

Mayor Cllr Paul Jobbins, who came up with the idea for the event, said Chipping Sodbury had marked a momentous occasion in style.

"We missed a trick with the Royal Wedding last year so we wanted to put something special together for the Diamond Jubilee," he said. "It has been fantastic, people didn’t care about the rain on Sunday and we were blessed with sunshine on Monday. It has been super to see the community come together and celebrate."