THE Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is set to be celebrated in Tadcaster with a host of activities, ranging from a carnival parade of floats and a family barbecue to a massive fireworks display and the lighting of a beacon.

A committee of volunteers from the community has prepared a packed programme of events, which will start next month with a Carnival Queen Competition at Magnets Sports & Social Club on Friday, March 23.

Entry forms can be collected from three town centre businesses; The Beauty Lounge, Dawson and Clarke Haidressers and butchers Devine Meats, or by emailing tadcastercarnival2012@gmail.com.

Spokesman Nick Brown said the main jubilee celebrations would get under way on Friday, June 1, with a family barbecue at Tadcaster Albion Football Club, and a pram push the following day around Tadcaster, finishing at the Tadcaster social club in Chapel Street, with food, stalls and bands.

On Sunday, June 3, the road through the town will be closed to allow for a parade of 25 floats to move from Lawton Ford Garage to the Magnet Sports and Social Club.

“This will be followed by the crowning of the Carnival Queen, a best float competition, a funfair, a dog display, marching bands and local bands and a pastoral blessing.”

He said that at about 7pm, there would be three hours of entertainment at the club from Take That, Lady GaGa and Rihanna tribute acts, followed by the fireworks display.

“On Monday June 4, Coun Richard Sweeting will light the beacon at the top of Garnet Lane to round the whole weekend off,” he said.

“All of these events are free to the people of Tadcaster.

“We have managed to cover the cost of the whole thing with the support of local businesses – with floats by Richard Rooke Transport – and a small contribution from the town council.

“The event planning and inspiration has been completely community led, primarily by sisters Kirsty Perkins and Zoe Devine, both of whom have fond memories of the original Tadcaster Carnivals of the 1970s and 1980s.”