A street procession and flotilla of boats travelled to Beccles Quay this afternoon as the town's two-day Jubilee celebrations culminated in a party day.

At noon youth organisations paraded from the town centre along Northgate to the Quay as hundreds cheered them on, waving flags from the side of the road.

The groups of scouts, guides and sea cadets were led by a horse and cart as they walked under bunting made especially from the street's residents.

Then all eyes turned to the River Waveney as canoes, kayaks and light boats delighted the crowds lining the river banks with a flotilla from Beccles Lido to the Yacht Station.

There was also a selection of larger cruisers, with the town's mayor, deputy mayor and Miss Beccles among the passengers of the Waveney Stardust.

Mayor Graham Catchpole said: 'I would like to thank all the many people and organisations that have worked here to put these two days together for all of us to enjoy. Without these kind of people we would not be the town that we are today.

'From a simple question at a town council meeting, 'should we do something for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee' the answer was 'yes', and councillor Wareham picked up the baton, passed a big part of it onto the Beccles Sea Cadets, and here we are today.'

A planned parachute landing had to be cancelled due to strong winds but Loraine Loffstadt, who had helped to organise the event, was delighted with the day.

She said: 'It has been absolutely fantastic. The flotilla was brilliant, especially with the involvement of the Stardust.

'It is a real community event, we could not have had Beccles doing nothing.'

Music and performers entertained the families on the Quay throughout the afternoon, with a beacon lighting ceremony this evening.