Dereham is gearing up for its biggest royal celebration for a generation.

Final preparations are being made for the Queen's diamond jubilee event, which will take place in Market Place on Sunday, June 3.

And it was revealed this week that the army would be joining in the town's loyal tribute and taking along three armoured vehicles. Soldiers will be collecting for the Light Dragoons Colonel's Fund.

The showpiece event is one of countless celebrations in towns and villages around the Times area.

The town centre will be closed to traffic all day and an afternoon of fun and entertainment is being lined up from 1-5pm.

The centre piece of the celebrations will be singing of the National Anthem at 2.55pm, just before parish church bells are rung.

A 45ft lorry trailer has been loaned for the day by Fakenham-based transport company Jack Richards and it will form a stage for live music and dance.

Dereham Town Singers will be performing songs from each of the Queen's six decades including the Military Wives' Choir's Wherever You Are. That will be extra poignant as soldiers from the nearby Robertson Barracks at Swanton Morley are currently in Afghanistan and some of their families will attend on the day.

Among the other entertainment will be local band The Thinking Men, singer Rachel Fitzgerald, JDT Music, Dance With Me Academy, Act Too Performing Arts and The Puddlemarys.

Organisers are getting the whole Market Place decorated with bunting and round the square there will be stalls, games, activities, a fire engine, and mini fun fair rides.

A team of volunteers will be doing a barbecue for the whole town and the price will be kept down thanks to donations and grants including support from Dereham Lions Club and Norfolk County Council.

The Co-Op store in the Market Place is also offering support to the event, which is backed by Dereham Churches Together, Dereham Town Council and police.

Organising group chairman Jon Beardon said: 'We hope it will be a really great way to bring the community together and celebrate the Queen's jubilee. It is all about fun and keeping the cost down to local people.'

The road will be shut from 7am on the day until 7pm and all cars will have to be moved from the Market Place before the road closure is in place.

People are also reminded that the Market Place is an alcohol free zone.

Anyone willing to offer help can contact Jon Beardon on 01362 854581 or email derehamjubilee@gmail.com

More details of the event are on the Dereham Jubilee Celebration Facebook page.

*As well as performing at the Derehem event, musicians from JDT Music woll be holding their own jubilee street party at their base in Charles Wood Road on Rash's Green Industrial Estate on Monday, June 4 from noon to 4pm.

Dereham Jubilee Celebration

Programme for the stage entertainment (subject to changes):

1pm – The Thinking Men

1.30 – The Puddlemarys

1.50 – Update on Dereham Festival/two acts from Dereham's Got Talent

2.05 – Rachel Fitzpatrick

2.25 – Dereham Town Singers

2.40 – Short messages from an Army officer and a local minister/prayers/Queen's Grace

2.55 – National Anthem sung by the whole town

3 – Bells ringing from parish church

3.15 - Dance With Me Academy, Act Too Performing Arts

3.45 – Dereham Town Singers

4 – Talk on Foodbank

4.15 - Puddlemarys and finale led by JDT Music