ALTON will be buzzing this weekend with a host of events to celebrate the Queen’s official 90th birthday.

The town centre will be alive with markets and street entertainment on Saturday as the Alton Lions’ ‘Fayre in the Square’ brings music, dance, children’s activities, fun and games to the Market Square.

In aid of the children of Treloar School and College, the event will run from 10am-4pm and will form an extension of the Lions craft market on Cross and Pillory Lane and the Hampshire farmers’ market on the High Street, with jugglers, Punch and Judy, and even a ride-on miniature steam train puffing its way up Westbrook Walk.

The official opening will be at 11am in the Market Square when Alton mayor Matthew Bailey will be accompanied by Elvis lookalike Dave the Plumber.

The festivities will continue on Sunday when Alton Town Council hosts a royal tea party in the Public Gardens, with live music and entertainment to guide funseekers through the decades, traditional fete stalls, lawn games, and face painting.

While people are invited to bring deck chairs, blankets and picnics, Alton residents aged over 90 are invited to join the town council’s VIP table for afternoon tea.

The event will conclude with a short service conducted by Alton Churches Together to commemorate the Queen’s 90th state birthday, with hymns and the National Anthem accompanied by the Salvation Army Band.