SCARECROWS, trombones, dancers and firefighters will fill streets and fields as three villages put on a royal celebration to remember.

To celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee villagers from Elton, Ince and Thornton-le-Moors are preparing to wrap themselves in Union Jacks to take part in a parade and party until the sun goes down.

The celebration on June 2 comes after almost six months of careful planning by a specially formed community group, the Elton Village Fete Committee, made up of 12 residents, who have worked solidly to create an event which will bring the whole of the community together.

Pensioners and babies, teenagers and parents are expected to line the streets as a brass band leads a giant parade along School Lane to the community centre where two local children will be crowned the Jubilee King and Queen, officially starting the special celebrations.

Vicki Serna, who sits on the committee, said that she hopes that the event will become an annual community celebration.

“We are trying to get everyone involved in one way or another,” said Vicki, who said the community spirit in the village had depleted since the community centre fell into a state of disrepair.

“This year the event is just Elton with people coming from the surrounding villages, but from now on we want to make this gathering an annual thing and call it something like the Three Villages Fete,” said Vicki.

To date the committee has raised more than £2,000 towards the celebrations, with Essar donating £1,000 towards the live music event which will see local musicians and bands entertain packed crowds until the early morning.

But Vicki says that despite the generosity of local businesses, councillors and community groups volunteers are still needed to get stuck-in and make the day a celebration to remember.

“The whole occasion is hoped to promote community cohesion and there isn't one group that hasn't volunteered to get involved, said Vicki.

She also revealed that there will be a royal themed scarecrow festival in the coming months to get people in the party mood.

“This is the first time in about 18 years that we have done something like this in Elton.

“We are trying to unite the community and connect groups and clubs and create community spirit in the village.

“But we still need a lot of help with marshalling and setting up the fete on the day,” said Vicki.

The packed celebrations, which will start with a parade at 10.30am and finish with an evening of music and dancing, will see:

The crowning of local schoolchildren as the Jubilee King and Queen and flower girls and page boys

Entertainment and displays from tae kwon-do, Foot Loose Dance Academy, majorettes, dance groups, Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies

Football tournaments on the school field, inter-pub tug-of-war, cake decorating competitions and baking, a fancy dress competition, a dog show and line dancing

Firefighters and police officers giving safety advice and displays with smoke tents, forensics and sniffer dogs

Fundraising stalls including traditional stocks, shooting ranges and a bouncy castle

The committee, which meets on the last Wednesday of every month at the community centre, is still looking for volunteers for Elton's celebrations.

For more information on the festivities or to lend a hand call Vicki on 01928 726898 or email vicki@serna.co.uk.