THOUSANDS of people flocked to Worcester over the weekend to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday in style.

Crowds packed South Quay to watch as dozens of brightly-decorated boats draped in flags and bunting sailed down the river Severn on Saturday afternoon.

There was a real carnival atmosphere as spectators enjoyed the show, which was officially launched by Olympic rower Zac Purchase MBE and an impressive round of artillery fire.

The riverside was bedecked in red, white and blue balloons, and music was provided by the police band - while further upstream visitors enjoyed performances from local acts.

Enjoying the party atmosphere at the Quay was Sally-Anne Clarke, from Northwick, who came dressed in a Union Jack-printed raincoat.

She said: "We have an awesome Queen - I think that is so amazing. She is a shining example to us all. It is really great that Worcester have put this together."

Barbara Lloyd, from Cotheridge, near Worcester, said: "I think it has been fantastic and Worcester has done something to commemorate something that none of us will ever see again. You do not have to be a monarchist to enjoy the splendour of the moment."

Dominic O'Loughlin, captain of Worcester Rowing Club who helped organise the event, said: "It is brilliant. We woke up this morning and it was raining and I wasn't sure if the crowds were going to turn out in force. It is fantastic, it is just what the city wanted."

Later in the day, dozens of 90-year-olds sat down to Tea for the Queen at Worcester's Guildhall and toasted their fellow nonagenarian and monarch.

Youngsters enjoyed a host of creative activities at The Hive during the afternoon, and visitors were also treated to music from Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra and Link Top Notes.

Laura Worsfold, business development manager at The Hive, said: "We have had a nice afternoon, it has been really busy. I think it is about community."

Marta Kojscarz, who lives in the city centre, was at The Hive with her children Emilia, aged eight and Natalia, aged five.

She said: "I think it's amazing. It is really fun."

Muriel Harrington, who was also there with her daughter Olivia, said: "It is brilliant. We are big fans of the Queen."

Elsewhere in Worcester, residents enjoyed Tea on the Green at St John's Church in Bromyard Road, and were welcomed to DG Den in Dines Green for a party.

A fun-filled carnival delighted residents in Upton-upon-Severn with a colourful parade through the town centre before a day-long party on the sports fields.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin joined hundreds of school children and formally opened the celebrations before helping lead singing alongside Britain's Got Talent local star Pippa Langhorne.

She said: "It was great to see so many people enjoying the celebrations and it was an honour to open the fete on the occasion of the Queen's 90th birthday.

"We are so lucky in this country to have such a wonderful Queen and Upton turned out in huge numbers to show their appreciation of Her Majesty.

"I would like to thank and congratulate everyone who helped organise this great occasion, which I am sure will be fondly remembered by everyone who attended."

On Sunday, patriotic residents across Worcester hosted street parties - despite the wet weather early on in the day.

Communities in Yarrow Close, Barbel Crescent, Chubb Close, Redfern Avenue and Meadow Road all hung out the bunting and enjoyed parties to celebrate the Queen's birthday.

Meanwhile residents in Pershore, Evesham and Hanley Castle all enjoyed tea parties for the Queen, along with special services in Hanley Swan and at Pershore Abbey.

Back in Worcester, a procession of local dignitaries paraded from the Guildhall to the Cathedral for a celebratory service.

Hundreds of people packed into the cathedral to enjoy the service, which was opened by the Reverend Canon Dr Michael Brierley.

During the service, a large choir of Worcestershire school children performed pieces including Handel's Zadok the Priest with the cathedral choir.

Readings were given by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Colonel Patrick Holcroft and Worcester's new mayor Councillor Paul Denham. The sermon was delivered by Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester.

In his sermon, Dr Inge said: "We gather here this afternoon to give thanks for her majesty, for a long and remarkable life, a long and remarkable reign by any standard."

Some left disappointed by river spectacle

SATURDAY'S flotilla did not float the boat of every spectator who turned out to watch the event.

Many of those who watched the river parade said they felt "disappointed" at the scale of the procession.

Ally Hunaban posted on the Worcester News Facebook page and said: "Really, really disappointing......rowing boats with a few flags hanging on them ....there was no atmosphere at all.....a total flop once again as was the carnival.....Worcester never seems to get it right....there were SO many people there today, it could of been amazing, but was a real anticlimax"

Also posting on Facebook, Siân Wilkinson said: "This was such a disappointment. It was played up to be a big event but many of us were left thinking it was a bit of an anti climax"

And Michelle Scott wrote: "Very, very disappointing. A 90 decorated floats spectacular?!!! Really??? Did something go wrong or were we just totally misled? Not at all what people were expecting from the conversations I heard. A real anticlimax to what sounded like a good idea."

Speaking in defence of the day's events, deputy mayor Councillor Steve Mackay said: "[It was a] lovely day. Lots of people took part, lots of people enjoyed themselves.

"I see that there has been a few people that have suggested it is not all it was put up to be. That is a bit saddening because that event was well organised and it was done by volunteers.

"It just makes me wonder if these people that were saying it wasn't as good as it should have been perhaps they would like to give some of their time.

"I know there were a lot of people enjoying it."

Lady Susan Hughes, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, said: "I think it was a great success, despite the fact that the sun didn't come out it was a great effort. The boats looked fantastic - it is the best event on the river for 60 years.

"I'm sad if people were disappointed and we only say we tried our best. There were a huge number of people there all enjoying themselves."