A church in Maldon is hosting a big service this weekend to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Queen's accession.

The choir at St Mary's Church will be singing a special choral evensong at 6pm this Sunday (6 February), which will mark the beginning of celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year.

Colin Baldy, director of music at St Mary's, said: "It's the start of the Queen's Jubilee year.

"We'll be singing music sung at the Coronation - including Parry's I was Glad and Handel's Zadok the Priest.

"Everyone is welcome."

The Queen's accession to the throne took place on 6 February 1952 following the death of her father, King George VI.

The 70th anniversary of the event this Sunday will see the Queen becoming the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, which will be marked by a series of national and local events across the year.

A four-day Bank Holiday weekend will kick off on Thursday, 2 June, and will see Maldon decorated in a red, white and blue theme - including a bunting installed along the high street and the decoration of Moot Hall as a focal point of the display.

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There will be seven trees planted across the town's four wards as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative, which encourages people across the UK to plant a tree for the Jubilee.

One tree each will be planted in Leeches Garden, Lower Plume School, Upper Plume School, Longship Way and Wentworth Primary School, while approval is being sought to plant a tree along Cross Road.

Two trees will be planted in St Mary's Churchyard.

The planting will begin in spring.

A report by the town council's Platinum Jubilee working party, which is working on the plans for Maldon, also says the council "could encourage and support residents to host their own street parties".

The report adds: "If residents let the council know about their event in advance, the town mayor can potentially put in an appearance if possible.

"Residents could also submit photos of their event to create a permanent archive."

The lighting of the beacon in Promenade Park has been confirmed, but further details on the district council's plans for the four-day weekend are yet to be revealed.

For the service this Sunday, you can find St Mary's Church on St Mary's Lane in Maldon.