Image source, Hobbycraft

Congratulations to Samuel from Liphook, in Hampshire, who is a runner up in Hobbycraft’s nationwide Jubilee Craft Competition after creating a beefeater using a cardboard tube.

Samuel will be rewarded with a £250 voucher for the art which was inspired by his Dad, LCpl Mike Thomas, who took part in the Jubilee Trooping the Colour on Thursday.

Andy Fletcher, one of the judges and chief executive at children's charity Together for Short Lives, said: "A great way to upcycle and a very heart-warming creation.

"Thank you for this entry, Samuel, it is a wonderful way to celebrate the Queen’s reign and the perfect symbol for togetherness and making memories together."

Satvir Kaur, leader of Southampton City Council, has been enjoying the festivities at Mayflower Park and was interviewed by the BBC Radio Solent team while she was there.

She wished the Queen "huge congratulations" and thanked her for 70 years of service.

Ms Kaur has had a mixed week, after Southampton missed out on the City of Culture bid, but told our reporters today "like the Saints we do March on".

Image source, Sandworld Sand Sculpture Festival

A sand sculpture of the Queen was unveiled this week in Weymouth.

David Hicks, co-founder of the Sandworld Sand Sculpture Festival, took three weeks to create a replica of the commemorative 50p coin of Her Majesty on horseback, from the 1977 silver jubilee Trooping the Colour.

It is available to view as part of the Around The World Sand Sculpture Festival 2022, external.

Best friends Emma and Sue were at Blenheim Palace for the Jubilee beacon lighting event this week, and couldn't resist recreating a photo taken there when Emma was a baby.

Sue told our reporter: "When Emma was a year-and-a-half we came for a day out and we took this photo. This year because it's Emma's 30th and my 50th we've come to recreate it.

"We're big fans of the Royals.

"There are a lots of places to come but we had to come here - it's iconic."

Seventy aircraft from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army formed the Platinum Jubilee Flypast for The Queen on Thursday.

The 17 helicopters that took part all assembled at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire and three of them were RAF Pumas, which are based at Benson.

BBC Radio Oxford's Adam Ball was allowed to take a ride in the lead Puma, and fly over Buckingham Palace, followed by a detour to Blenheim Palace on the way back.

The Queen met Paddington Bear in a sketch which opened the BBC's Party at the Palace marking her 70 years on the throne.

The animated children's character was seen having tea with the Queen - during which they both confessed to carrying around a marmalade sandwich.

You can watch the Party at the Palace on iPlayer here.

Image source, Royal Navy

Sailors around the world have sent traditional Royal Navy tributes to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Those on deployment in the Gulf of Oman, on patrol in the Atlantic, safeguarding home waters and undergoing training at UK bases have marked her 70-year reign.

Members lined up on parade grounds and flight decks to mark the occasion.

They included trainee sailors at HMS Sultan in Gosport, who formed a 70 and two large propellers.

One of the events taking place in Berkshire today is "the world's longest lunch" on the Long Walk in Windsor.

We've counted 500 tables and 3,000 place mats!

About 3,000 people will gather later to tuck into a veritable feast. Save some for us, please?

Millions of people are celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this weekend, but for a few it will have a personal touch.

As the nation celebrates the monarch's 70-year reign, some people in the South have been sharing their memories of special meetings with the Queen.

Image source, Wightlink

Ferry company Wightlink took part in the national ships salute at 12:00 yesterday.

Cruise liners, yachts, canal narrowboats and Royal Navy vessels alike sounded their horns to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Chief executive Keith Greenfield said: "Over the centuries, Wightlink and her predecessor companies have welcomed members of the Royal Family onboard on many occasions.

"Most recently, HRH The Countess of Wessex christened our hybrid energy flagship Victoria of Wight at a ceremony at our Fishbourne port in 2018.

"This year, we will be carrying many thousands of families across the Solent heading for Jubilee celebrations with their loved ones. We hope everyone has a wonderful time and the weather is kind."

Image source, JOHN LAWRENCE

Local heroes who have "gone above and beyond" will be recognised in an avenue of trees being created to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Blenheim Palace has asked the public to nominate people who have had a positive impact on their local community.

The Jubilee Avenue at the Oxfordshire estate will feature a total of 140 native sweet chestnut and rowan trees.

Seventy of them will be planted in honour of the successful nominees, with their names displayed alongside.

Here's what the weather is expected to be like across the region today:

Oxford,Bicester,Didcot,Witney: Light rain and a gentle breeze.

Banbury: Light rain and moderate breeze.

Chipping Norton: Heavy rain and a moderate breeze.

Reading: Heavy rain and a gentle breeze.

Newbury: Light rain and gentle breeze.

Slough: Light rain and light winds.

Bournemouth,Weymouth: Light rain and moderate breeze.

Blandford Forum,Bridport,Sherborne: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze.

Southampton: Light cloud and a gentle breeze.

Portsmouth,Andover,Lymington: Light rain and a moderate breeze.

Basingstoke,Farnborough: Thundery showers and a gentle breeze.

Cowes,Shanklin: Light cloud and a moderate breeze.

Petersfield,Winchester: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze.

Image source, PA

Hello and welcome to our live page coverage of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Follow us throughout the day as we share events taking place throughout the South region to mark the Queen's 70 years on the throne.

How are you spending your day? Let us know - you can email us here.