A CLIFF-TOP beacon is being lit in Sunderland as part of the national celebrations for HM The Queen’s 90th Birthday.
She is celebrating her birthday tomorrow (Thursday 21 April) and a beacon at Cliffe Park (near the white lighthouse), Seaburn, will be lit at 8.30pm.
It was last lit a year ago to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Previous royal-themed lightings have included HM’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Thursday’s lighting is being carried out by Sunderland Mayor Councillor Barry Curran and the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Mrs Susan Winfield.
Cllr Curran said: “This country has for many, many years been lighting beacons to mark and celebrate Royal occasions. It’s a long tradition and the 90th Birthday of our Monarch is no exception.
“Beacons up and down the country are being lit and everybody is welcome here at Cliffe Park to mark the occasion.
“It’s going to be a great honour on behalf of everyone across our city to light the beacon and people are very welcome to join us.”
There is a long and unbroken tradition celebrating Royal jubilees, weddings, coronations and special birthdays with the lighting of beacons – whether it’s on top of mountains, churches or castle battlements; on town and village greens, farms, country parks or at the seafront.
Thousands of people across the country will be paying their respects to Her Majesty The Queen on her 90th birthday at a beacon.
They are being lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories and Her Majesty is lighting the first and principal beacon.