A BURNING beacon of light shone out from the top of Toot Hill near North Baddesley on Bank Holiday Monday.

The huge beacon was one of a chain of hundreds stretching from Lands End to John

o' Groats which were lit to mark the start of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

In all, 1,700 beacons were lit across the UK and throughout the Commonwealth to help mark the Queen's 50 years on the throne.

The first was lit on Monday in Tonga.

Others followed around the world during the day.

The first of the UK beacons was set off in Scotland at around 9.30 pm.

The last beacon was lit by the Queen herself to mark the end of the pop concert which was held at Buckingham Palace.

Residents from Rownhams and Nursling climbed Toot Hill to witness Southampton joining in the festivities.

The beacon was organised by Broadlands - the seat of Lord and Lady Romsey - and Nursling and Rownhams Parish Council.

The Queen and Prince Philip have been close friends of Lord and Lady Romsey for many years and spent part of their honeymoon there in the 1940s. They have since been regular visitors to the estate.

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