Street puts its party hat on

Bunting, a barbecue, and a Best of British buffet lunch were on the menu for residents of St Austin's Grove Sheringham, who celebrated in style at a street party attended by nearly 100 people.

The event was months in the planning, with a team headed by retired vet David Allison coming up with the idea of staging a jubilee event last New Years Eve.

'We wanted to do something that would get everyone together to celebrate,' Mr Allison said.

Residents designed and made a jubilee banner, strung red, white and blue bunting between lamp posts, ran a tombola and hired a bouncy castle for youngsters.

Everyone brought food to share and donned red, white and blue outfits, with two neighbours handing out homemade paper hats and crowns.

After a celebration cake made by Maggie Rothe was cut by the road's youngest resident, three-year-old Mary Padfield, and longest-standing householder Maureen Bailey - who has lived at St Austin's Grove for 51 years - Peter Evans played the National Anthem and Land of Hope and Glory on the keyboard.

Mr Allison, with his wife Sheila, has been holding garden parties in aid of Save the Children for 20 years, donned an HRH top hat for the occasion.

'It has been great day,' he said. 'Everyone has contributed and the table was absolutely groaning with food.'