IT WAS a party fit for royalty when hundreds of people enjoyed a very special birthday celebration to honour The Queen’s 90th birthday.

Families enjoyed a host of entertainment at Viables Craft Centre on Saturday to mark Her Majesty’s big day.

Children and adults enjoyed cakes and refreshments outside on long tables decorated with Union Flags.

There was also a vintage hairstylist, facepainting, circus games and miniature train rides around the site, hosted by Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Society.

Also taking part in the national celebration was Basingstoke care home Homefield House, in Aldermaston Road, where residents, their family, friends and members of staff enjoyed a British themed street party.

The home, owned by Shaw healthcare, celebrated the milestone on The Queen’s actual birthday on Thursday, April 21. 

Ellen Colborne, manager of the home, said: “We knew that many of our residents had followed The Queen throughout their life, so we decided it would be a nice treat to collect royal memorabilia from the past and display it across the home.

“It was great to see so many friends and family members come along to celebrate this milestone for The Queen.”

The Queen celebrates two birthdays – her real one in April and an official one in June, held on a Saturday.

She marked her real birthday in Windsor by lighting the first of more than 900 beacons which were lit across the UK and overseas, one of which was at Buryfields Infant School, in Odiham.

She then joined around 70 family and friends for a private dinner in Windsor Castle.