THE COUNTDOWN has begun to the biggest mass celebration for years when communities across West Devon join together to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Towns and villages are making their final preparations for the Bank Holiday weekend with events ranging from street parties to services of thanksgiving, pageants, firework displays and tea dances.

Excitement is beginning to brew with many predicting the celebrations will be supported on the same level as the Silver Jubilee in 1977 and the Queen's Coronation.

In the thick of the flags and banners and carnival atmosphere in Okehampton will be 83-year-old Jeffe Cunliffe, who is especially looking forward to the tea dance organised by Okehampton Lions for Monday in the Charter Hall — for which tickets are going like hot cakes.

Mr Cunliffe said the Queen had always been his Number One Lady and she had done a marvellous job over the years.

'The Queen is completely unique and cannot be compared to any other monarch in any other country,' he said. 'To me she is great, and she has weathered whatever problems have been thrown at her, particular by other members of her own family.'

He said people were often critical of the Queen because they felt she had a life of luxury, but in his opinion she had never been allowed to have a proper life.

'She does not have the freedom we have and I don't think there are many of us who would choose her life,' he said.

Mayor of Okehampton Christine Marsh, who will be opening the family celebrations in Simmons Park on Sunday afternoon, said there was going to be a real old-fashioned atmosphere.

'It will be like reliving the old street parties exccept we will be hosting it in the park because it is not possible to hold it in the street in this day and age,' said Cllr Marsh.

'People have really started to enter into the spirit of things and lots of donations have been coming in, so all the events can be free for everybody.'

In Hatherleigh, a small team of people has been working hard to get a programme of activities going in the town square and Hatherleigh Moor.

Mayor of the town Denis Bater said there was an awful lot of enthusiasm for the jubilee and the people of Hatherleigh always came up trumps when there was a celebration to be had.

'Now all we want is the weather, but we are putting a contingency plan together if it should rain,' he said. ' I would like to thank Brookite Limited, of Okehampton, for providing the red, white and blue banners which deck our town and several others.'

Juliet Yelland, of Northlew, is organising one of the more ambitious events — a jubilee pageant involving many children from the parish who are dressing up from periods of the Queen's history with a narrative by parents.

She said it was great to see so many communities joining in the celebrations and in Northlew she expected every person in the parish to be involved.

'It's going to be a great day and everyone is really getting enthusiastic,' she said.

At Okehampton Primary School, children have painted portraits of the Queen and wrote their thoughts about her.

A jubilee fair today (Thursday) will see all the children dressing up in red, white, blue and gold and there will be a best crown competition judged by Okehampton Carnival Queen.

Headteacher Brian Cunningham said the children had written some touching things about the Queen and they had shared with her in celebration, thanksgiving, looking back as well as forward and looking at the Commonwealth.

West Devon mayor Cllr Richard Philips said he hoped as many people as possible would make a big effort to join in.

'It's a remarkable period in history and one, I hope, lots of people will celebrate,' he said.