Derby date and holidays mark Queen's Diamond Jubilee

The Queen will be celebrating 60 years on the throne next year

The Queen will begin her Diamond Jubilee celebrations on 2 June next year by attending the Epsom Derby, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The 60th anniversary celebrations will be held over four days.

A flotilla of up to 1,000 boats will sail along the Thames with the Queen on the Royal Barge on 3 June.

The government has designated Tuesday, 5 June, an additional bank holiday and moved the late May holiday to 4 June to enable a four-day weekend of events.

People will also be encouraged to share Sunday lunch with neighbours and friends, and a BBC concert will be held at the palace on 4 June.

Tickets will be available by public ballot later. The concert will be televised, but the line-up of performers has yet to be announced.

Events are expected to be held throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.

A chain of 2,012 beacons will be lit across the UK on the night of 4 June and the Queen will light the national beacon.

The long weekend will conclude on 5 June with a carriage procession and a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.

More details for all Diamond Jubilee events will be released early in 2012, the palace said.

The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952 on the death of her father, King George VI.