Penarth Town Council and Penarth Youth Action are planning a free event to mark the start of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Taking place on June 2 at 21:30, the Cliff Top beacon which overlooks the Bristol channel will be lit by the mayor of Penarth and followed by a fireworks display.

The town joins more than 1,500 locations across the country in the lighting of the beacons to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, becoming the first British Monarch to celebrate 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

The event is free, and all are welcome to attend. This community event will mark the start of the special four-day UK Bank Holiday weekend.

A member of Penarth Youth Action (PYA) commented: "We're very excited to be a part of this national event which connects so many communities across the country."

Britain has a long history of beacon lighting spanning many hundreds of years. We have celebrated Royal Weddings, Jubilees, and Coronations by lighting beacons on village greens, castle battlements, church towers, farms, beaches, front gardens, car parks and mountain tops.

A beacon chain, once used as a tool for communication, has now become a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries, and continents and is often the central point of focus for any outdoor gathering or celebration.

The event in Penarth is funded by an award from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Find out more about UK celebrations from the official beacon website and read the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend itinerary.