THE VALE of Evesham and Broadway celebrated the Queen's Golden Jubilee in right royal style over the extended bank holiday weekend.

Local charities will also be raising a toast after Evesham carnival raised a bumper £2,000 for good causes.

Across the Vale crowds turned out in their thousands to street parties, carnivals, church services, parades, all day activities and jazz nights in honour of The Queen's 50 year reign.

Organisers in villages and towns reported hugely successful events starting from last Friday in the schools to Monday when most of the local celebrations drew to an end.

Three of the four days were crowned with golden sunshine, but holidaymakers were on a roll by rainy Monday, and refused to let the wet weather put them off enjoying themselves.

Dottie Friedli who organised Broadway's event on the village green in the afternoon said: "Everyone had a fantastic time. We were lucky to have only about half an hours rain, but the Darby and Joan Club who were having tea had thought of that and brought their brollies."

Pershore residents were also unperturbed by the showers and turned up in force to watch what was declared one of the most successful carnivals for years.

Organiser Derek North said: "There were more standing on the streets to watch the carnival procession go past than I have ever seen and the collection for charity raised more than £800."

On Tuesday royalists had the choice of travelling to London to watch the magnificent parade down the Mall, or staying at home to watch the spectacular on television.

Summing up, Mayor of Evesham, Diana Raphael said: "No country in the world does it like we do. The celebrations were absolutely magnificent and I am proud to be British."

Tim and Delia Carter from Cedarwood Gardens in Evesham went to the classical concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday.

Mr Carter said: "Our seats were only about 15 feet from the royal box. The climax to me was when they played Pomp and Circumstance. It made me proud to be British."