As the special four-day bank holiday weekend started, celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee got underway yesterday (Saturday, June 2).

In The Broadway in Debden, pearly kings and queens rubbed shoulders with families enjoying stalls, music, and free fairground rides.

Dave Stannard, chairman of the Debden Traders Association, said: “It is absolutely fantastic, there are people stretched right down The Broadway as far as you can see.

“The atmosphere is wonderful.”

In St Catherine’s Road in Chingford the trestle tables were being laid out for the street to enjoy a jubilee barbeque together.

Organizer Alan Lomas, 70, said: “Everyone has dressed in red, white and blue and we are having a competition of red, white and blue flowers displays.

“It is great for the community spirit, to see neighbours who had previously not spoken to each other really getting to know each other.”