A MAMMOTH fire beacon will be built on Whitchurch Down next summer, to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee.

Members of the town council's finance committee heard that beacons will be constructed up and down the country to celebration the anniversary — and were given information prepared by Bruno Peek, the Queen's pageant master, which is being sent to organisations nationwide.

In a guide to the celebrations, Mr Peek said: 'There is a long and unbroken tradition in our country of celebrating royal jubilees, weddings and coronations with the lighting of beacons, whether they be on top of mountains, church towers, castle battlements, town and village greens and along the beaches surrounding our shores.

'In 1897, beacons were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. In 1977 and 2002 beacons were also lit to celebrate the silver and golden jubilees of the Queen.

'On Monday June 4, 2012, the aim is to light 2,012 beacons throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and other countries in celebration of the Queen's diamond jubilee.'

Wayne Southall, the council's works superintendent, said gorse accumulated during the normal clearance procedures on the downs could be involved in the construction of the giant beacon.

Mr Southall said: 'We have consulted with Dartmoor National Park and they are in favour.

'We have also thought about parking for the event — we might have to do a similar set up as we do for Goose Fair, perhaps have shuttle buses going up to the down.'

The beacon will be lit as darkness falls, but other entertainment is being planned for the afternoon/evening.

Cllr Mandy Govier said the event could be a good opportunity for all ages to celebrate, as June 4 was during half term and children did not need to be in bed early.

'This is something that everyone can celebrate and really bring the community together,' she said.

Cllr Harry Smith proposed the council go ahead with the beacon project — and additional entertainment to support the celebrations.

'Even people who are not particularly interested in royalty might be interested in the beacon,' said Cllr Smith, who stressed there would be a lot of hard work required to organise the event.

Town clerk Roger Howard said he would be contacting local organisations such as Tavistock Lions Club, the Round Table and Rotary clubs, to see if they wanted to get involved.

'It's going to be quite a big thing, and I guess there will probably be fireworks, and some sort of a party,' he said.

The committee's decision was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday night.