Several hundred people attended the Witney beacon lighting ceremony, part of a nationwide celebration which saw beacons lit on the highest peaks of the UK and across the Commonwealth to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Newly-elected mayor Liz Duncan led the Lighting of the Beacon on the Leys as part of a short ceremony with music and speeches.

Witney Rotary Club, one of the first groups to volunteer, took on the job of helping to keep everyone safe while The Coffee Shed cafe was busy all night and offered to stay open late.

Oxford Mail:

2120 Witney Squadron, Royal Air Force cadets, formed a guard of honour to receive the Mayor and Town Crier Jean Postlethwaite-Dixon in her flowered tricorn and regal purple costume.

The Town Crier read a proclamation before the Park Run runners entered the Leys having run their traditional 5k on a relay route from the start point at West Witney.

Runners of all ages, including Junior Parkrunners, ended their colourful relay by presenting the Witney town flag to the Mayor.

At 9.40pm Cllr Duncan said a few words before lighting the beacon simultaneously with other beacons across the country.

Singers from West Oxfordshire Academy of Performing Arts (WOAPA) then gave a warm and polished performance and led the singing of the National Anthem.

Oxford Mail:

Cllr Duncan said: "All these people and groups gave their time so generously to this event and it was so appreciated."