A TIGHT-KNIT community is preparing to observe a landmark event by taking part in a nation-wide celebration. 

Millom Town Council will be joining forces with groups and councils around the UK in a bid to celebrate the queen's 90th birthday. 

More than 250 organisations are taking part in the initiative which will see a network of beacons blaze across the sky on April 21. 

Denise Burness, mayor of Millom, is delighted to be involved with the event. 

She said: "I'm exited - it's going to be really nice and it's great to be involved. 

"We may be a small area on the biggest cul-de-sac in Britain but we do have a great deal of respect for the royal family and the queen in particular. 

"She is a figurehead, whether you're a royalist or not, and we supported the jubilee so this is the natural progression from that."

Cumbria is set to receive an extra honour as for the first time ever, beacons will be lit on the four highest points in the kingdom: Ben Nevis, in Scotland, Mount Snowdon in Wales, Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, and Scafell Pike in the Lake District. 

Plans are also progressing in Millom as Doug Wilson, deputy mayor of Millom and chief organiser of the event, braved the blustery weather to collect wood for the beacon this weekend.

Councillors decided that the beacon should be located at Haverigg, despite suggestions that it should be taken to the top of Black Combe, but the feasibility of that was questioned due to access.

Communities can choose from three different types of beacons: a traditional bonfire beacon, a beacon brazier on top of a tall wooden post already in place or a gas-fuelled beacon that was commonly used during the jubilee. 

Although the finer details are yet to be confirmed, Cllr Burness is excited for the event and is eager to encourage as many people as possible to get involved and support the event.

She said: "I think it's good for the council to be involved but it's also a great community event and one of those kind of things that inspires a real feel-good factor."

She added: "If we have any tourists in the area we can also show them exactly what we can do in Millom."