CHILDREN in Bolton have been learning about the Queen and Royal Family to help celebrate the Golden Jubilee in style -- with flags, bunting and balloons hung out in schools across the town.

Youngsters at Affetside Primary School organised their own party in the same style as the Silver Jubilee 25 years ago.

Children and staff dressed in traditional red, white and blue clothes and ate together on rows of tables in the school hall.

During the day pupils also baked cakes and had a visit from a local historian to find out what life was really like in the village during the Coronation in 1952.

And to round off the day, the partygoers sang the national anthem which the children, aged between five and 11 years, had been learning in class.

Members of St Thomas of Canterbury Nursery, Heaton, celebrated the Jubilee with the help of magician, Paul Storey, who performed tricks and illusions.

More than 50 children and staff dressed up and wore party hats they had made in class. Janet Kelly, nursery manager, said: "They all really enjoyed the morning. It was great a joy to see them all laughing."

Fancy dress and music was the order of the day at Longsight CP School, Harwood, as children performed a show from the decades, with individual acts from classes to entertain parents and family.

The school hall was decorated with flags and balloons, and prizes were given for the best fancy dress costumes.

The Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr John and Mrs Christine Walsh, joined an indoor Jubilee party at St Phillips Sure Start group at St Phillips Church Hall, Great Lever, to celebrate with the children's playgroup based at the centre.

Other groups joining in the fun included Crompton Fold Primary, Sharples Primary, Mytham Primary in Little Lever and St Maxentius Beaver Scouts in Bradshaw.