Pickering is planning four days of celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Events will get under way on Saturday, June 2, with a Variety Show at the Kirk Theatre at 7.30pm featuring local performers, including master of Yorkshire dialect monologues Adam Collier, singers Marion Greenbank and Trevor Moss and Malton duo Stacey Johnstone and Helen Oldroyd.

Also appearing will be Danielle Long, who recently starred in Pickering Musical Society’s production of Annie and local singing group, Reflections.

Dancers from The Kevin O’Connor School of Irish Dance complete the line up.

They will be featuring Pickering’s Imogen Rose, who recently won a national Irish dance competition in London.

Tickets are £6, available from Television House, Market Place, Pickering or on the door.

There are thanksgiving services on Sunday, June 3, and a tree planting ceremony at Newbridge that afternoon.

The party starts in earnest on Monday, June 4, at 8pm, with dancers from Dancetastic and Stape Silver Band performing in the Market Place.

A community church service, involving all the town’s churches, will take place at St Peter’s and St Paul’s church and a choir from Scouts, Guides and the town’s schools will also perform.

The evening will end in a beacon lighting ceremony in Pickering’s Market Place at 10pm.

Marion Buchanan, one of the organisers, said the celebrations on Tuesday, June 5, would all take place in the grounds of Pickering’s royal castle, originally built by William the Conqueror.

“The hope is to create that street party atmosphere in a properly royal setting. Great care has been taken to ensure that there is something for everyone during the day and it will start with a magic show and teddy bears’ picnic,” she added.

“Fancy dress, races and games will run into the afternoon, with some great stalls and entertainment provided by local groups. Dancers, Stape Silver Band and Pickering Acoustic Music will entertain throughout the afternoon.”

At 6.30pm the evening’s entertainment will start with a solo guitar performance of God Save the Queen by Pickering musician Jonathon Cousins, which will be followed by local bands creating a festival atmosphere in the castle grounds.

The line up for the evening is Chu Ma Shu, Smokestack Sunrise, Rocket Smith, Fingerprint and No Offence.

Marion stressed there would be a strict no alcohol policy in the grounds of the castle.

“This free celebration has been the inspiration of the Pickering Town Youth Council and the committee put it together to help them realise their ideas,” she said.

“We hope people will dress up in red, white and blue, bring their families and a picnic and join in the town’s celebration of this hugely historical occasion.”