With his bell and scroll in hand, Alton town crier Dave Parsons declared the town’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations officially open in the Market Square at 2pm today.

Mr Parsons was one of 146 town criers throughout the UK and the Commonwealth who were ‘crying’ the Royal Proclamation for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, written by Bognor Regis town crier Jane Smith.

A family from Norfolk who were visiting a couple in Alton also got into the Jubilee spirit with Union Jacks on their table and Union Jack hats on their heads.

Pictured with Mr Parsons, from left, are Matt Jordan, Grace Dodd, Tina Rice-Smith, Janet Dodd, Philip Dodd and Christopher Dodd.