GET out your glad rags, put up the bunting and raise a glass to the nation’s longest-serving monarch.

Celebrations are being held across the country to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday – and Dartmouth has been invited to the party.

Dartmouth Town Council would like to get involved but first wants to know what residents may have planned, with street parties or picnics in the park. It hopes to draw up a calendar of events bringing the town together in one giant birthday celebration on Sunday, June 12.

The Mall in St James’s Park, London, will be transformed into the ‘largest ever street party’, ‘recognising the unrelenting support and service the Queen has given to the community’ over her 63-year reign.

Thousands of guests will enjoy a hamper-style lunch at tables positioned the full length of The Mall, with entertainment and Union flags aplenty.

Townstal Community Partnership is already starting to plan for a street party to mark the occasion, which will see the Queen joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the royal family at the London event which will be shown on large screens throughout the capital.

Now the town council’s general purposes committee is asking all residents groups or organisations to get in touch with their ideas for the day.

Committee chairman Cllr Tessa de Gallaeni said the council had been approached by an events organiser offering to co-ordinate celebrations.

‘I see no harm in asking him if he is prepared to offer his professional services to event planning for the town,’ she said.

But councillors Gina Coles and Iris Pritchard urged a note of caution over any fee attached and said they would rather see the celebrations organised at local level than by somebody who had been in the town for ‘five minutes’.

Cllr Paul Allen said it would be helpful if the council could co-ordinate a list of what was being planned in and around the town.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has issued a step-by-step guide provides practical advice for any-one looking to hold a street party.

It addresses some of the popular myths surrounding street parties and sets the record straight on what is actually needed – including information on road closures, charges, playing music, insurance and fundraising – alongside links to organisations who offer further support.

Local authorities are being encouraged to support residents in bringing down any barriers that stop local areas from holding small private street parties.

The guidance includes a simple form you can use to let your local council know about your plans and apply for a road closure.

There is also an information pack available with invites, activity and recipe cards, stickers and other useful tips to get started. So whether you want to host a traditional street party or community dash, or simply invite a few neighbours round to share sandwiches in your front garden, now is the time to get planning.

More information is also available at www.thebiglunch.com.