JUBILEE fever is gripping Wear Valley communities with schools, pubs, clubs and businesses going all out to mark the Queen's 50th anniversary.

With the prospect of an extra-long bank holiday weekend ahead, plans are well under way for street parties, carnivals, fetes, displays and even a cricket match.

Schoolchildren started their celebrations early with competitions, picnics, walks and painting sessions throughout the week. Many plan special day-long activities tomorrow before they break up for half term.

Fervent Royalist Anita Atkinson, who has built up a world record collection of royal memorabilia, said the festive mood reflected people's support for the Queen.

She said: "There is a really strong sense at the moment that people are in favour of the monarchy. Everywhere you look there are flags and all the activities over the weekend are drawing communities together.

"There are parties in every village in Weardale and almost all the communities throughout the district. People don't always show their support for the monarch until there is an occasion like this. There is a very real jubilee fever everywhere you go."

Mrs Atkinson is displaying her collection in the Newgate Centre, Bishop Auckland, on Saturday and from Tuesday to Saturday, June 8, from 10am to 5pm. Money raised from the exhibition will go to the North-East Air Ambulance service and the Stanhope and Weardale branch of the MS Society.

Spennymoor Town Council has given out more than 2,500 jubilee mugs to children from the town's primary schools.

Wolsingham Parish Council has issued commemorative medals and Thornley Village Hall Association has also printed mugs.

Post offices and banks are closed all weekend and there are no postal deliveries on Monday or Tuesday.

The Northern Echo, the Wear Valley Advertiser's sister paper, is printing a special round up of events around the region in Friday's edition.