A COUNTRY community is going to town to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee with a nine-day programme of events.

Organisers of the show at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, say it is not confined to Royalists and tell residents: "Look on this as a unique opportunity, excuse even, to have a thoroughly enjoyable fun time bonding our community together."

Events start on May 30 and run until June 8. The main street through the town will be closed on Monday, June 3, when an outdoor communal tea is held. It will be closed again as stalls for a street market line up on June 8.

The jubilee market will raise money for the refurbishment of the Mechanics' Institute, established in 1852.

Kirkby, often referred to as a village, received its market charter from Edward I in 1307. But the market lapsed in 1816 and it now has a population of under 1,500.

Mr Fraser said: "So far we have involved 18 other parish organisations."

The event has secured £4,100 from Awards for All from its community fund, £800 from the parish council and £400 from Harrogate Borough Council.

Activity reaches fever pitch on Saturday, June 1, when more than 500 yards of red, white and blue bunting will decorate homes in the main street. Householders are being encouraged to decorate their homes as part of a competition.

The programme of events is:

May 30 - Kirkby Malzeard School art and painting workshops. Presentation of Queen's jubilee mugs to children.

June 1 - Homes decorated, street bunting goes up. Walking treasure hunt. Photographic exhibition Mechanics' Institute.

June 2 - Combined service St Andrew's Church. Children's art exhbibition and flower festival St Andrew's.

June 3 - Children's float, fancy dress parade, balloon race. Communal tea between 4pm to 6pm. Family rounders, races. Lighting of "network" beacon at Greygarth, Dallowgill Moors (10pm) with fireworks.

June 4 - Evening slide show Mechanics' Institute about Kirkby Malzeard area.

June 5 - Paper sculpture workshops am and pm Mechanics' Institute. Same venue dance workshop 7pm to 9pm.

June 6 - Storyteller workshops, am and pm Mechanics' Institute. BBC North Yorkshire Down to Earth gardening programme 7pm Mechanics' Institute.

June 7 - Rhythm, percussion workshops am and pm Mechanics' Institute. Family and adult disco Mechancis' Institute.

June 8 - Street market 10am to 4pm. Play, sword dancers, bouncy castle, live music, powered organ, fun run.