A COUNCILLOR is urging people across the area to come together and take part in a landmark celebration. 

Millom is joining forces with towns and communities across the nation in a blazing toast to Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday. 

A beacon will be lit on Haverigg beach on Thursday evening to bring together all members of the community to celebrate the occasion. 

Councillor Doug Wilson, deputy mayor of Millom, has spent weeks organising the event on behalf of the council and is now calling for volunteers to help build the bonfire and take part in the celebrations. 

He said: "This is an opportunity to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday and recognise the many years of dedicated service that she has devoted to our country. 

"Plus it is a community event where we can all join together as a local community."

Cllr Wilson is asking people around Millom to help build the bonfire on Thursday evening and assist in moving the timber to the site of the beacon on Haverigg beach.

The event is part of a national scheme that will see more than 1,000 beacons across the UK lit in celebration of the occasion. 

This is the biggest royal celebration since the birth of the queen's two great-grandchildren and the first time the beacons have been lit since her diamond jubilee in 2012. 

Many people across the area still hold fond memories of the jubilee and believe events like these are fantastic in bringing the community together. 

Councillor Felicity Wilson, Millom Town Councillor and Copeland Borough Councillor, said: "It was a smaller beacon for the jubilee but an awful lot of people came to it. 

"It was a very friendly atmosphere and because the jubilee was in June the weather was much warmer and a lot of people brought their blanket and stayed into the night."

Thursday's beacon will be located on the foreshore of the beach near to the sea wall and Haverigg entrance to Port Haverigg Marina Village. 

It will be lit at 7.30pm and Mr and Mrs Wilson are eager to see as many people from across the area turning out to celebrate this major national event. 

Cllr Felicity Wilson said: "It's exciting for youngsters to see these kind of events that are a little bit different. 

"They're used to Guy Fawkes and bonfire night but when there is a big moment in our history it's important that we mark them. 

"The queen is our head of state and head of the Church of England and a lady who has dedicated herself to this country.

"We just think it's right and proper that people who want to celebrate are given the opportunity to."

Any volunteers who are able to help Cllr Wilson on Thursday can get in touch on  07770 967851.

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