THERE’S still time to organise a party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Choosing a venue for your party is really important. Try and find a place where you and lots of your neighbours can celebrate together, such as a field or a local park, where you could have a big picnic.

Street parties are fun to hold in a local street, but be sure to check you won’t need to close the road, as the cut-off date for applying to the council has passed.

Remember to publicise your street party well in advance so your entire community can get involved. Getting as many people involved as possible will make the event much more fun. Ask your elderly neighbours if they have memories of street parties in the past – you’ll be sure to pick up some good ideas.

Catering for large groups is a challenge, so why not ask everyone to bring some sort of dish? Celebrate the diversity of your community by asking them to bring a dish that’s special to them.

Don’t forget lots of colourful decorations – including bunting – and you’ve got a special event that you and your neighbours will remember for a long time.

A brochure, produced by Ryedale District Council and available online, is available offering plenty of useful hints and tips on organising an event for the jubilee.

Coun Keith Knaggs, leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee guide is designed to help residents make the most of this truly diamond occasion.

Included in the guide are details of organised events, ways to celebrate that you can arrange locally and web links to national celebrations. So bring out the bunting and celebrate Her Majesty's long reign."

For further information, visit ryedale.gov.uk