THE biggest tea party in the country drew crowds in their thousands to Haslemere's High Street in a record-breaking golden jubilee celebration.

The High Street, which had been closed off to traffic, was filled with people and the very British sounds of a brass band as more than 5,000 residents and visitors celebrated the jubilee at Tuesday's giant tea party.

A mountain of 6,000 sandwiches made from 160 loaves, 160 eggs, 60 cucumbers and two huge containers of jam provided a typically English tea-time fare and there was a constant stream of tea, orange juice and biscuits to refresh the partygoers.

And just for the record books nearly 3,000 bought a drink, sandwich and a hat and and the organisers said afterwards that unless anyone knows otherwise, it could be a countrywide record for the most cups of tea served.

"It was an enormous success, the crowds of faces was very uplifting and it was exhilarating to see so many people taking part," said one of the organisers, Don Stacey.

Many of the crowd were sporting red, white, and blue, which matched the Union flag bunting and transformed the High Street into a vision of colour.

The tea party was officially opened by former cabinet minister and author, Edwina Currie, who was introduced to the audience by town crier Terry Burns, and Mayor of Haslemere, Stephen Mulliner.

Mr Mulliner invited the crowd to give three cheers for the Queen and, along with Haslemere Town Band, led them through the first verse of the National Anthem.

"It has been a truly wonderful weekend of celebrations and recognition, celebration for the 50 years of service to the country and Commonwealth," said Mr Mulliner.

He added that the Queen should be recognised for her sense of duty which she has publicly undertaken since the coronation.

Mrs Currie officially opened the tea party, and thanked the organisers for their hard work.

"We are here to celebrate what is good about being British, what is great about our country and to recognise the Queen's service for the past 50 years. We are lucky have Her and we are very lucky to be here today," announced Mrs Currie.

Among the organisers were Don Stacey and Hamish Donaldson, and Judy Avens who led a team of diligent sandwich makers from Haslemere Morning WI with help from friends and Shottermill WI.

Also attending the event were local MP for South West Surrey, Virginia Bottomley, the Mayor and Mayoress of Waverley, Brian and Pam Ellis and several town councillors.

A special chance for the town and the partygoers to appear on television came during the afternoon as a Channel Five crew filmed the event. The footage will be used in the final episode about the history of the monarchy, called Kings and Queens, which will be shown on Channel Five on June 24. It will be presented by Cambridge historian Nigel Spivey.

Stalls selling crafts, ornaments, and plants were set up by several local businesses and organisations, with Haslemere's RSPCA, Chamber of Trade and Commerce, and the Lynchmere Society represented.

And as parents browsed, children were kept entertained by a traditional Punch and Judy show, fairground rides and games, and a huge bouncy castle.

Meanwhile Haslemere Town Band were on hand to provide some rousing musical rousing accompaniment to the celebrations, playing a mixture of popular and more traditional songs.

Entertainment was also provided by the Silver Spurs line dancing group which meets regularly in Haslemere to practise their grapevines and whose members have been involved in important fundraising for Haslemere Hospital.

Although the clouds gathered over the town, the afternoon stayed fine, and there were no problems with access to the High Street or with parking.

A fancy dress competition and a cake decoration competition were also included in the fun event.

Judged by presenter of the new BBC digital channel, CBeebies, Chris Jarvis, and Ms Currie, the winner of the youngest age group of the fancy dress competition youngest age group was Darcey Latimer aged 14 months from Hales Field, Haslemere, who was dressed as a jubilee fairy. The older children's competition was won by Lottie Hayton, aged five from Farnham Lane, Haslemere, who went dressed as a herald.

The cake competition was judged by Edwina Currie, first place went to Doreen Whitaker from Sickle Mill estate, for her stunning crown and cushion cake. Second place was presented to Douglas Howard whose entry represented Haslemere Cricket Club's 175th anniversary. Third place was given to Nina (4) and Edmund (2) Gray (with some help from mummy), of West Street, for their cake decorated as a crown. Fourth place went to Becky Way from Headley Road, Liphook.

Haslemere's non-profit making jubilee tea party was staged by a committee of just four people from the Haslemere Millennium Trust and partly funded by lottery cash and Haslemere Town Council.

Organisers were Don Stacey, Hamish Donaldson, Judy Avens who took control of the sandwich making, and Nick Smith who arranged the public address system.