A HOST of celebrations took place across Worcestershire to mark the Queen's 90th birthday today (Thursday).

From knitted models of Her Majesty, to celebratory bell ringing at Worcester Cathedral - residents honoured the anniversary in style.

This evening beacons will be lit across the county - including atop the Worcestershire Beacon in the Malvern Hills - as part of a nationwide movement to pay tribute to the monarch.

During the day, people from Upton-upon-Severn helped bed-in a new cherry tree provided by Upton in Bloom.

Jackie Surtees, chair of the in Bloom committee, said: "We felt we ought to do something, and I think a cherry tree is a good way - something that will be there every year."

A birthday party was held for residents at Juniper House Residential Care Home in St Johns, and youngsters at Woodgreen Day Nursery also enjoyed celebrating the big day.

Meanwhile, the team at Worcester Racecourse took part in a Great British Racing initiative to wave a flag, bearing the Queen's racing colours - purple and red.

Joining in the celebrations, Olive Allsup, 77, from Warndon Villages, proudly put her life size, knitted model of the Queen on display at the Guildhall in Worcester.

The hand-stitched, 5ft 6inches-high model is to be removed from display tomorrow (Friday) but will be back on show later this summer.

Mrs Allsup said: "It took me a couple of months, and it took three weeks to make the crown. The crown was the most difficult part. I think her nose is a bit bent - from one angle she looks like a boxer!"

Anne and Ken Jones from Leigh Sinton covered their front garden with bunting and two large models of Royal Guards to mark the birthday.

Passing cars beeped their horns in acknowledgement of the display, which was taken down last night.

Mr Jones, 79, who is a former Grenadier Guard, said: "She [the Queen] is a wonderful lady and I have been to Buckingham Palace garden parties five times with the regiment."

In the run-up to the birthday, school pupils from across Worcestershire have been tidying up their communities as part of the Clean for the Queen initiative.

Schools including St. George's RC Primary School in Worcester, St Matthias CE Primary School in Malvern Link, Evesham's De Montfort School and Woodgreen Day Nursery have taken part.

Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is also observing the Queen's birthday with a new exhibition called Ninety Years of Treasures.

The show displays different perspectives of the British countryside over the course of the Queen's life. It is on display until the end of December.

Meanwhile, residents from across the county are being invited to take part in a project to make 90 second videos about what The Queen means to them.

Every video submitted will be archived by Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, supported by Media Archive Central England. Videos should be sent to 90SecondVideo@worcestershire.gov.uk by Sunday, June 12.

Celebrations continue tomorrow (Friday), with a flower display and coffee morning at the United Reformed Church in Malvern Link. Visitors can see the decorations between 10am to 11.30am.