The Alton Concert Band was the star attraction as The Big Lunch was held in the Public Gardens to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on June 5.

Although the bandstand commissioned to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 would have been a fitting stage, rain meant the musicians had to seek sanctuary in a marquee.

The playlist, starting and ending with the band accompanying guest soprano Jaya Passingham for the national anthem, incorporated many of the Queen’s favourites, including William Walton’s Crown Imperial.

The audience sang along to Land Of Hope And Glory and The White Cliffs Of Dover. There were also tunes from South Pacific and various James Bond films.

Other highlights included Born Free, The Lord Of The Dance, tunes from Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Wallace and Gromit theme and the Dambusters March, all conducted by Jeremy Morrish.