Families invited to join Melton's '˜Big Lunch' to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday

A whole host of activities will be taking place in Play Close park during ‘Melton Mowbray’s Big Lunch’ taking place from 10am to 4pm.

There will be an open air service at 10am followed by live music throughout the day with children’s activities including crown making, a treasure trail, king/queen themed fancy dress competition, face painting and children’s rides.

There will be refreshments from Miss B’s Deli and a bar provided by Belvoir Brewery. Melton’s Defence Animal Centre will also be bringing dogs and horses for the action-packed day.

Families are welcome to bring their own picnics or will be able to choose from a selection of food stalls. Other activities and attractions are set to include a find the Corgi treasure hunt and vintage car display.

Over 75 places have been booked for a special afternoon tea being hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of the Melton borough David and Maureen Wright.

Residents of the borough born during 1926 - the same year as the Queen - have been invited to join them at the event taking place in the civic suite at Melton Council’s Parkside offices at 2pm. The special afternoon tea will be provided by Miss B’s.

The Mayor said: “The Mayoress and I are delighted that we have had such a positive response to this event and look forward to welcoming those residents of the borough who, like the Queen, have become or are shortly to become a nonagenarian in 2016 and sharing their memories of Her Majesty over the years.”

l To mark the Queen’s 90th birthday Melton Council has also been involved in a schools colouring competition, asking schools to send in drawings of the Queen.

It has had a huge response with over 500 entrants from Swallowdale Primary School, St Francis Primary School, Melton Vale Post-16 Centre (MV16), Harby Primary School, Frisby Primary School and Croxton Kerrial Primary School.

After more than two hours of judging, council leader Pam Posnett has chosen a first, second and third prize for each primary school in the five to eight and nine to 11 age categories and a first prize for MV16.

Each first place winner will be awarded a £10 Amazon voucher from the Mayor, with second and third places being awarded a certificate. The Mayor will be visiting each school to present the awards.