A LANCASTER Bomber swooped three times over St Ives on Saturday afternoon, marking just one of the highlights of the town’s weekend of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The town was awash on Saturday with street entertainers, face painting, Lindy Hop and Bootscooters, who all formed part of the big street party.

Unfortunately on Sunday, the town was simply awash with rain. But music-lovers still turned up in their hundreds for the Concert for the Queen in Hill Rise Park, where West End star Leanne Jones and a host of other musicians entertained about 500 people.

On Monday, the town joined more than 4,000 other cities, towns and villages across the UK and the world for the lighting of its beacon, which took place at All Saints’ Church and was carried out by church warden Barry Wills.

St Ives Mayor Councillor Debbie Townsend said: “St Ives was buzzing. I haven’t seen the town so busy since the Golden Jubilee. The town knows how to put on a party and everyone turned up to make it fantastic.

“If it wasn’t for the weather I’m sure more people would have turned up for the concert, but there was still a fantastic atmosphere and we sang the National Anthem and Jerusalem. It was just a shame about the weather.”

A Jubilee cake competition in Chaucer Green, judged by Cllr Ryan Fuller, was won by Brunella McMahon and her two daughters Janine and Nadine, who live in Chaucer Way.

The town’s celebrations finished with the Queen’s parade in London televised on a big screen in the Corn Exchange on Tuesday – the same venue used by many to watch the Coronation.