RESIDENTS across Oxfordshire will continue their Diamond Jubilee celebrations today despite the rain.

Cloudy weather is forecast for tomorrow while heavy rain is expected to return on Tuesday.

But the wet outlook has failed to dampen the spirits of residents organising street parties and other events to pay tribute to Her Majesty.

Last night Jubilee celebrations in Bicester went off with a bang as scores of people gathered in Garth Park for the traditional anvil firing event.

And today's celebrations are getting under way across the county.

Patrick Coulter, who has organised a street party in All Saints Road, Headington, said: “The show is going on and it is just about set up now.

“There are lots of people out in the street at the moment.”

Friends of Iffley Village and Friends of St Mary’s Church are holding a party in St Mary’s church hall, with scenes from London being broadcast on a big screen.

Spokesman Helen Potts, of Church Way, Iffley, said: “We are still going ahead but the rain means we will probably have to limit our activities in the street.

“But we will still celebrate – this is England after all and we are used to the rain.”

Mum-of-three Heather Hull, 54, a psychiatric nurse, from Henley Street, East Oxford, said residents would press ahead with their Big Lunch party.

She added: “We can put up gazebos to cover people from the rain. One year we put a tent up but it blew away.”

Banbury town council is preparing a 1950s-themed Big Jubilee Lunch in Market Place for 1,000 children and their parents.

Town council spokesman Julian Dancer said: “The food is all ready and it looks like there’s a break in the cloud. I’m sure it will go ahead.”

Blenheim Palace had organised a cricket match today but this has been cancelled to protect the pitch for tomorrow’s celebrity match.

But head of operations Heather Carter said people dressed as cartoon characters Rupert the Bear and Noddy would still make an appearance today at the palace.

Keep visiting oxfordmail.co.uk/news/jubilee/ for stories and picture galleries as Oxfordshire celebrates The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this weekend.

You can also send us pictures and reports of your events from that page.