CELEBRATIONS were held across the region to mark the monarch’s 90th birthday, with Darlington’s Town Crier proclaiming the town’s best wishes to the Queen by leading three cheers to her.

Crowds gathered around Horsemarket’s 18th century Market Cross to join in with the celebrations alongside mayors and mayoresses from across the North-East.

Darlington’s Mayor and Mayoress, Tom and Gill Nutt played host to Hartlepool’s Mayor Mary Fleet and Mayoress Sheila Griffin, as well as Stockton’s Mayor and Mayoress, Ken and Linda Dixon, who joined in the royal toast.

Classical singer and soprano, Rebecca Newman, also performed a rendition of God Save the Queen for the crowd at midday in the town centre.

Terry Kneeshaw, a renowned Darlington artist, extended his best wishes to the Queen by painting an oil portrait of Her Majesty, titled Our Queen.

Mr Kneeshaw said: “I painted this portrait of the Queen for no other reason than I’m a local artist and proud Englishman.”

One of the Queen’s contemporaries, who was born just months after Her Majesty, was also treated like royalty for the sterling work she does for a hospice.

Mary Moody, who is 90-years-old on June 8, has been working with Willow Burn Hospice, near Lanchester, County Durham, since it opened 26 years ago.

Today (Thursday) she was a guest of honour at celebrations held in South Causey Inn, near Stanley.

The great-grandmother was invited to an afternoon tea, watched an organised dog walk set off around the grounds of the hotel and later lit a beacon to commemorate the Queen’s birthday.

Mrs Moody, of Delves Lane, near Consett, said: “I am delighted to have been invited. It is something to be proud of.

“I always said the Queen and I had the same year. This is her own proper birthday, but when it is her official birthday in June – when they have a gun salute – my birthday is only days away.”

Willow Burn Hospice fundraising manager, Katherine Luke said: “It’s a nice way for our community to celebrate one of our hidden gems, for the work she does.

“Mary supports us every week at the hospice. She is a real focal point of what we do here at Willow Burn.”

Collection boxes were available at South Causey Inn with all donations going to Willow Burn Hospice.

Residents aged 90 or over in Barnard Castle were also treated to a special celebration after being invited to a tea party to mark the occasion.

About 20 residents signed up for event, which was organised by the town’s mayor and her consort, Councillor Sandra Moorhouse and Ian Moorhouse, and English Heritage, at the Barnard Castle Guide Hut, off Birch Road.

Guests enjoyed tea and cake while they also had a visit from the local Rainbows group who joined them for party games and the singing of Happy Birthday and other songs.

The whole community was then invited to a special beacon lighting and fireworks in the town’s castle.

Cllr Moorhouse said: “All the guests were so up for it and were really quite excited."

It wasn’t just humans who joined in the celebrations though, as tiny ponies wearing bows and party hats also helped residents at a Darlington care home celebrate the Queen’s big day.

Therapy ponies Mr P and Monet toured North Park care home and entertained residents and staff, who were enjoying a party for Her Majesty.

Resident Ruby Bonner had pride of place at the celebratory event, which also doubled as a birthday party for her.

Ms Bonner turns 90 on Saturday, April 23 and is a life-long monarchist, said manager Mark Culley.

Mr Culley said: “She’s really enjoyed the day, as have the rest of our residents.

“Everybody’s had a great time and it’s given staff and residents something different to get involved in.

“Most of our residents are from an age where the monarchy meant a lot.”

As the Queen has long been known for her love of canine companions, the residents of an animal centre also recorded their own special message.

Pet charity Blue Cross, which has a re-homing centre in Topcliffe, near Thirsk, has helped its cats and dogs create a unique tribute to the Queen – an animal rendition of Happy Birthday.

The menagerie of sounds were recorded by the pets at Blue Cross centres across the country, and then remixed into the familiar song.

The track and accompanying video stars Blue Cross pets who are seeking new homes.

Caroline Thompson, Thirsk Blue Cross deputy manager, said: “From corgis to horses, we know that the Queen loves being surrounded by animals, so we wanted to mark her 90th year by creating this version of Happy Birthday.”

In York, a 21-gun salute was fired from the Museum Gardens by soldiers of Thirsk-based 4 Regiment Royal Artillery to mark the occasion.

Hundreds turned out to see the three 105mm light guns blast out their tribute, starting at noon.

“The saluting troop has been practising hard all week to make sure that everything is just right for today,” said Lieutenant James Steel, the gun troop commander from 88 (Arracan) Battery.

“It is an honour to be firing the guns on such a special occasion and great to see the crowds that have turned out to watch.”

York is one of only 12 official saluting stations in the UK.

And if the local celebrations were not enough, The Royal Navy’s fleet amphibious flagship HMS Bulwark showed its support for the Queen by wishing her a happy birthday while in the middle of an intensive international exercise at sea.

Sailors and royal marines of the 20,000-ton assault ship created a ‘90’ on the flight deck and the ship’s chefs baked a special cake, which was enjoyed by the ship’s company at a special birthday ‘stand easy’ or rest break and between helicopters landing and taking off.

The County Durham-affiliated ship took time out from the Anglo-French Exercise Griffin Strike while at sea in the Bristol Channel for the event.

The cake, shaped into the figure 90 was made by the ship’s logistics department.

HMS Bulwark Captain James Parkin said: “On behalf on my ship’s company I would like to offer our loyal greetings and best wishes to Her Majesty on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

“My sailors and marines were delighted and honoured to be able to mark the occasion in such a special way."