DEVON and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is asking residents to inform them if they are lighting a beacon to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Communities across the South West will be lighting beacons on Thursday night.

Residents are advised to inform the fire service of any beacons by emailing [email protected] with the following information:

• Name of organiser,

• Contact number (during the event),

• The location of the beacon,

• Time you intend to start burning,

• Time you intend to finish burning.

A spokesperson said: “This will help us avoid sending fire engines to false alarms when they could be responding to a real emergency.”

Beacons will be lit tonight at Holsworthy Agribusiness Centre, with free entry, barbecue, pop-up bar, Ashwater Community Steel Band and local youth band 180Degrees, as well as a DJ.

The event, from 6.30pm to 11pm, is organised by Holsworthy Hamlets Parish Council and supported by Kivells. The beacon will be lit by two pupils from local schools who recently won an art competition.

Holsworthy Town Council will be lighting a rose beacon at the top of the church tower at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church from 7pm to 9pm.

In Cornwall, at Bude at 9.30pm, a beacon will be lit on Summerleaze Downs by the mayor Cllr Lea Deely, which will be followed by a 11-minute red, white and blue firework display launched from Summerleaze Downs (weather dependent).

Launceston Town Band will play at Coronation Park, next to the leisure centre, tonight, with the beacon to be lit there at 8.30pm, and a toast will be raised to the Queen.

Lifton Parish Council is welcoming people to join its celebrations with a birthday beacon at Lifton Farm Shop. There will be a free hog roast from 7pm, first come, first served, and the lighting of the beacon will take place at 7.30pm.