WEST Devon and East Cornwall were awash with a sea of red, white and blue at the weekend as residents of towns and villages joined to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee writes Sam Hughes.

A host of street parties, park parties, beacon lighting and parades were held across the area as well as barbecues, hog roasts, live music, dancing, food and drink festivals, picnics, film screenings, zumba and belly dancing classes, jujitsu demonstrations, various games, friendly sports matches, magic shows and much more.

Plenty of people turned out to enjoy the festivities taking place in Okehampton's Simmons Park, Tavistock Meadows and the many events being held in the surrounding villages.

Mayor of Okehampton, Cllr The Rev Mike Davies said he had a fantastic time during the celebrations: 'It was absolutely brilliant. The park was packed out and it was fantastic to see so many people together having such a great time to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. All of the different dancers, performers, singers and bands were great and the crowds were overwhelming — they did Okehampton proud.'

Tavistock's mayor Cllr Anne Johnson was equally as proud of Tavistock's celebrations. She said: 'It has been a fantastic weekend celebrating the jubilee — many people turned out despite the rain.

'Months of planning by many of the residents was not going to be stopped by rain, it was a day that will be remembered for many years to come.

'The whole community worked tirelessly together to organise and deliver the activities in the Meadows on Sunday and Monday. Tavistock Lions beer and cider festival was an outstanding success and Tavistock Youth Café with Vicki Lloyd taking the lead put together a fantastic line of amazingly talented local artists and bands who performed to many hundreds of people.

'Much of the co-ordination for this event was undertaken by Lisa Wadling, with Tavistock Town Council led by Wayne Southall proudly overseeing the whole event and both staff and councillors working to steward.

'The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations were a showcase of Tavistock at its best, working together to plan and deliver. It was an amazing honour to be involved.'