The biggest celebration the south has started as thousands of people catch the Jubilee bug.

From picturesque village halls to big city centres, there is one sight in common: red, white and blue bunting.

Communities have been brought together – some for the first time ever – to make the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee an occasion to remember.

It is a party 60 years in the making and everyone from the county’s diverse communities have become friends to share the tasks.

Each house in each street has a task; from baking cakes and preparing the punch to finding tables and decking them out and preparing typical 1950s games.

Four days of celebration got underway yesterday with scores of street parties across the region.

In the Daily Echo region 263 road closures have been lodged with councils.

But this is just the icing on the cake because hundreds more parties are taking place in parks, pubs, town squares, halls, churches, village greens, care homes, community centres, cul-de-sacs and driveways around the county, which do not need formal closure.

Daily Echo: Diamond Jubilee - Earlier Stories

Flick Rea, of the Local Government Association, said the scale of celebration in Hampshire is “set to surpass anything experienced for decades.”

Yesterday residents, in Ashtree Road, Bitterne Park, Southampton, dressed up for a good, old-fashioned knees up.

Their event featured a bouncy castle, tug of war, children’s games, a communal lunch, face painting, competitions and tea tents, with local traders even donating gifts for a raffle in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

In Winchester from noon today, thousands will turn the city centre into a sea of red, white and blue for Jubilate’s Street Party Fit for a Queen.

More than 200 live performers will make The Broadway come alive at the free party, complete with stalls, workshops and food.

The finale will be the largest number of singers ever on the steps of Winchester Guildhall singing to the crowds.

Meanwhile in Millbrook in Southampton they are getting set to enjoy a free family fun day to celebrate the Jubilee at Green Park.

The Millbrook Christian Centre, which is hosting the event from 1pm until 4.30pm, said guests can expect food, music, face painting, a bouncy castle, fancy dress and prizes.

Tomorrow Woolston will host a guest list of more than 300. Among Archery Grove’s jam-packed list of events are live acts, games, best decorated house and even the pets will be dressed up for the occasion. People attending will be asked to pay a small charge with the cash going to Simon Says – a charity which helps bereaved children.

Organiser Rosie Badham, said: “It promises to be a good day with the chance for residents actually getting the chance to meet with their neighbours.

“Our aim is to give the children a memory that will last a lifetime."