The Mayor of Dudley will light an official beacon next week in celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday.

A small party of VIPs will join the Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Steve Waltho, on April 21st at the top of Dudley Castle where the lighting of the beacon will take place at 7.30pm after the zoo has closed for the day.

Dudley’s tribute to mark Her Majesty’s 90^th birthday is part of a national celebration when over a thousand beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK overseas territories and a Commonwealth country to celebrate this landmark birthday.

Her Majesty The Queen will light the Principal Beacon at Windsor Castle accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“It is an honour for me to lead the borough’s tribute to the Queen on this special birthday by lighting the beacon, which I hope can be seen for miles around. On behalf of the residents of Dudley borough I would like to wish Her Majesty The Queen a very happy 90^th birthday.

“I am sure that during the summer there will be plenty of opportunities for our local communities to get together at parties and other activities to coincide with official events including a huge street party in London.”

Many different organisations are taking part from all areas of the local community by lighting beacons, including many councils, youth organisations, and churches.