HUNDREDS of residents came together to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee in a historic port town.

The rich jubilee programme, which was organised by the Harwich Haven Authority, saw people flock to Ha’Penny Pier in Harwich to mark Her Majesty’s 70th anniversary on the throne.

The start of the long-awaited four-day bank holiday weekend was marked by a range of entertainment.

Free family art activities were engaging visitors of all ages, while live music by Fox, Wiggle and Sass brightened the mood.

Fiona Brunning, who is the corporate affairs manager at the Harwich Haven Authority, said: “We wanted to support he jubilee and Harwich Town Council so we invited the council to come along and read the proclamation on the pier.

“We have had hundreds of people come and go, we have had people dancing, and lots of ice cream has been sold.”

The authority also thought about capturing the celebrations forever with a special display.

Fiona added: “We are going to create a community artwork from everyone’s pictures and we are going to display it on the pier as a legacy to the jubilee.

“It will also be a digital artwork as well so we will have it on social media.

“We are calling it the Big Picture and everyone could remember they were here to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee.”

A special best dressed vessel competition was also one of the highlights of the day and was judged by Harwich mayor Ivan Henderson.

Fiona said: “We asked a lot of local boats and yacht to come in and decorate their boat in line with the jubilee.

“We had lots of flags on their masts.”

Harwich resident Betty Holbrook, who has been awarded MBE, has also walked the extra mile to mark the jubilee by decorating her home with flags and bunting.

She said: “ I feel very proud to be British. I am very proud of our Queen. There is no-one like her all over the world.

“She has carried this country through a lot of hardships.”

All pictures provided by Steve Brading.