The Queen's Golden Jubilee Weekend Trust is offering 50 families a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of an exclusive weekend in London to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in real style.

Evening Press readers could be among the winners as the tickets are shared out around the regions.

This fabulous prize package includes travel to London with GNER, accommodation in London with Thistle Hotels, a special day out with London String Of Pearls and specially-allocated seating in The Queen Victoria Memorial South stand opposite the Palace on June 3 and 4 as the unique celebrations unfold in front of you.

From a specially-elevated position, your family will enjoy the Pop Concert broadcast on giant screens outside Buckingham Palace. Then you will be able to watch the Queen light The National Beacon in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial, and the spectacular Son et Lumiere Fireworks, all on the evening of Monday, June 3.

During the day, you will receive exclusive entry to London heritage sites with the leading organisation, London String Of Pearls.

On Tuesday, June 4, the 50 winning families will enjoy the National Festival of Jubilee Parades representing many diverse groups who have served this country during 50 years of the Queen's reign, participants from the Commonwealth, the Golden Jubilee Gospel Choir led by Patti Boulaye, representatives of Notting Hill Carnival, the Chicken Shed Theatre and many other groups.

You will then be in a prime position to see the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they make a balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace later in the afternoon, concluding the Jubilee Weekend celebrations.

The London String Of Pearls Golden Jubilee Festival

During the day on Monday, June 3, you will be guests of String Of Pearls, which is providing a privileged look at the treasures behind the closed doors of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and special visits to Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, linked by a cruise on the River Thames.

String Of Pearls has brought together more than 80 of London's greatest institutions, some world famous, others less familiar, to offer visitors to London a unique extravaganza of 400 special celebratory events from now until December, 2002, with privileged access, exhibitions, performances, concerts, parades and new activities. For further festival details visit www.stringofpearls.org.uk or phone 0906 944 2002 (calls cost 10p per min).

Thistle Hotels

On Sunday and Monday, June 2 and 3, you will stay with Thistle Hotels, the largest hotel operator in London, with 24 hotels in some of the best locations.

Travel with GNER

GNER operates a fast and frequent service to London from the East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East England and Scotland. For more information call 08457 225 225 or visit www.gner.co.uk

Those who wish to enter must fill in the entry box below and send to Golden Ticket Competition: PO Box 28428, London, N19 5WZ, by noon on May 10. Entries will be placed into a blind ballot and drawn by an independent adjudicator on May 10.

Updated: 11:57 Thursday, May 02, 2002