THE Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations began early for a group of residents in Shildon, yesterday.

Eat, drink and be merry was the theme of the day at the town's Jubilee Fields Community Centre in Shildon, County Durham, where the people over 55 met to party in style.

The day began with a three- course meal and glasses of non-alcoholic wine before singer Jack Stevens got the party going with some country and western numbers.

Bingo and songs from the Fifties and Sixties followed, with a cream tea ending the event.

Those who attended were presented with jubilee commemorative gifts as a souvenir.

Organiser and treasurer of the Jubilee Fields Community Association Elizabeth Carr said: "We got the funding from Durham County Council through Councillor John Quigley, but without the volunteers this would not have been possible.

"Everybody really enjoyed themselves and as they were going out they said we had done them proud. They were thrilled to bits and we really feel like we have achieved something for community spirit. We couldn't let the occasion go by without doing something to celebrate.''