Hundreds celebrate the Queen's birthday on Westbury White Horse with the lighting of a beacon

The town was one of many locations across the UK to commemorate Her Majesty’s 63-year reign over the country.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Lt Gen Sir Roderick Cordy-Simpson, lit the beacon at 7.30pm to a chorus of cheers.

Before doing the honours, Lord Lt Cordy-Simpson said: "“I think it is absolutely brilliant here, we have the most famous White Horse in the country as the backdrop. Westbury has done the Queen and the White Horse proud today.”

"I would also like to say thank you to the Rotary Club, who have done so much to make our fabulous White Horse look even more brilliant by cleaning it at the weekend."

He then read out a letter, written by Prince Charles, which thanked the nationwide efforts pledged by the residents of the UK to commemorate the monarch’s birthday.

Deputy mayor Stephen Andrews said: “I think it was a great success, the weather was kind to us and everyone had a nice time.

“It was a lovely occasion to celebrate the Queen’s birthday and to bring Westbury together.

“There was a good atmosphere and a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday was sung by the 1st Westbury Brownies."

Village crier Ray Davis, 70, from Bratton, sang Happy Birthday to the Queen in front of the beacon after it had been lit.

He said: “I think this is a wonderful event. We need the royal family, don't we? It is important for the country.”

Members of 1st Westbury Brownies also sang Happy Birthday to the Queen before the beacon was lit.

Jenny Clinch, 45, from the group, said: “I came up to take my adult promise as a Brownie leader.

“I had been waiting to take my promise at a significant moment and this was the best possible one.

“I think it was a fitting tribute to the Queen, especially when the young leaders sang Happy Birthday.”

Suzy Gillman, 53, from Trowbridge, said: “It is nice that people join together in moments of celebration, such as today for the Queen’s birthday."