IT WAS a right royal affair as Dorset celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style with street parties, family fun and a maritime spectacular.

As the Queen attended events in London to mark 60 years of her reign, people in Dorset paid tribute to the monarch with events that brought communities together.

The rain held off as hundreds of boats dressed in Union flags and bunting took part in Weymouth’s Diamond Jubilee parade of boats.

The procession of boats made their way out of the harbour and into the bay led by Weymouth lifeboat before returning for the salute outside the Royal Dorset Yacht Club. Crowds lined the harbourside to watch the spectacle on Sunday.

Weymouth Carnival queen Lucy Compton said: “It was amazing to see so many boats out and so many people lining the harbourside.

“What a wonderful way to celebrate the jubilee.”

Royal Dorset Yacht Club Commodore Graham Castell said participants came from France, the Channel Islands and New Zealand.

Big Lunches were held around the county, a get-together for neighbours as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

One of these included an event incorporating a D-Day picnic organised by the Friends of Nothe Gardens in association with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

As well as marking the Queen’s reign, the event was a celebration to remember troops who took part in the D-Day landings in June, 1944.

In Dorchester people sat down at what was believed to be the longest table in Dorset to celebrate the jubilee.

Ian Mowell-Smith, one of the organisers of the street party in Kingsbere Crescent, said 115 people had turned out at the event.

Residents of the street sat down to tea and cakes decorated with the Union flag.

Mr Mowell-Smith said: “It was really fantastic. A lot of the neighbours were saying they have never been to a street party before.

“Normally, you see your neighbours and nod your head, but now we all know each other’s names and have conversations about the kids.”

Activities at the street party included a triathlon of darts, skipping and basketball hoops, as well as a children's fancy dress parade, a country dance, a football match and a skate park.

Residents in Broughton Crescent in Wyke Regis came together to celebrate with a street party.

Broughton Crescent resident Lucy Clarke said: “It not only marked a celebration of the Queen but also the coming together of old and new friends within the most amazing local community that I feel so lucky to live within.”

On Portland the Queen was honoured with a party organised by the Easton Community Group. Live music, fun for the children in Easton Gardens and party fare served in Easton Methodist Church Hall gave a real festive spirit to the free event.

Group secretary June Morley said: “We were delighted that Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Margaret Leicester took the time to join us during her busy schedule and all attending were generous with donations towards the work of the community group.”

There was an explosive end to the celebrations in Weymouth last night with a firework display. It came as beacons were lit locally and around the country.