A RIGHT royal knees up was held in Franche on Thursday as residents joined together in a street party to help celebrate the Queen’s landmark 90th birthday.

The birthday bash was organised by Franche Residents’ Association on Thursday, June 2, at the Community Church, which also reminisced the Queen’s visit to Kidderminster in 1957.

Crowds were treated to a barbecue and a selection of sandwiches, while community members also brought in authentic newspapers that marked the Queen’s Coronation and Golden Jubilee.

A presentation on her royal visit to Kidderminster included photographs from residents and newspaper clippings of the Shuttle, which were provided by the Museum of Carpet.

Ken O’Doherty, 69, who gave the talk, said: "To celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, the residents of Franche decided to hold a street party, with a presentation to show photographs of the day.

"It is hard for us to imagine someone becoming 90. The easiest way of doing it is to show how Kidderminster was when she came to the town, how the streets were set up, to the Queen’s visit in 1957.

"I was only around 10 years old but the Queen coming to Kidderminster was a big event.

"I remember the crowds wanted to get a look, all the people around and the flags waving, the Town Hall decked out with all the bunting. People were queuing up to get a look.

"My mother was there with my siblings in a pram and I was pushed along to the front. Everybody was trying to get a better view."

Around 40 people turned out to the event, which also included face painting for children.

Organiser Anne Heritage, 71, said: "I think the Queen is a marvellous lady for her age.

"I’m just so please it went so well. We have had a team of about six of us who have worked hard to get it all together.

"We have done it for the older people and children as well, so people of all generations - and we wanted to try and get the people of Franche together."