MORE than 3,500 beacons were lit across the UK last night at 9:45pm to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee - including in the village of Woolavington. 

Local families and residents turned out in numbers to watch the beacon be lit in the village's sports field.

They also made the most of a burger van, ice-cream van, musical entertainment, and other activities including a bouncy castle, a tombola, and a hook-a-duck game.

The event began at 7pm, with gates opening at 6:30pm to allow attendees to socialise and make the most of the evening's excellent weather.

New children's play equipment and a new skateboard facility were officially unveiled at 8pm, giving young people living in Woolavington valuable recreational space. 

The equipment has been purchased with grants provided by Sedgemoor District Council, Villages Together, National Grid and Co-op's carrier bag scheme. 

There was also a young people's parade to display their homemade crowns.

Shortly before the beacon was lit, a choir sang Jubilee anthem 'A Life Lived with Grace'.

A grant from Villages Together, a partnership of local residents working at the heart of the Woolavington and Puriton Big Local project, helped buy equipment needed to make the event possible.

Bridgwater Mercury photographer Steve Richardson attended the beacon event to capture the moment.

Gallery: Woolavington beacon lighting event for the Platinum Jubilee

Bridgwater Mercury: The Lawes and Quinan families in front of the hook-a-duck game and bouncy castle. Pictures: Steve RichardsonThe Lawes and Quinan families in front of the hook-a-duck game and bouncy castle. Pictures: Steve Richardson

Bridgwater Mercury: Rachel Smith and Hazel Alexander with their children, Owen Smith and Aaron Alexander.Rachel Smith and Hazel Alexander with their children, Owen Smith and Aaron Alexander.

Bridgwater Mercury: Laura, Ifan, and Ioan Griffin with Gwen.Laura, Ifan, and Ioan Griffin with Gwen.

Bridgwater Mercury: Susan West on the tombola stall. Susan West on the tombola stall.

Bridgwater Mercury: FRONT Wendy Beer with BACK Helen Baker, Nigel Frith, Peter Beer, Alan Sharp, and Richard Young.FRONT Wendy Beer with BACK Helen Baker, Nigel Frith, Peter Beer, Alan Sharp, and Richard Young.