Airplay youngsters have a right royal party for The Queen

With this weekend marking the official celebrations of Her Majesty The Queen's 90th birthday, the youngsters at Airplay Scampton held a street party to celebrate in style.

The RAF Benevolent Fund put together a party package for its Airplay youth groups to help celebrations go with a swing. Gifted with a special birthday box, containing goodies including paper crowns, bunting and games, RAF Scampton was the first station to host its Queen's birth celebrations.

"It was a brilliant day!" enthused Gill Angel, Community Development Officer at RAF Scampton. "The kids thought The Queen might actually arrive, and were constantly peeking out of the window. She didn't come obviously, but they loved seeing Ben Elephant!

"As soon as I found out the Fund were thinking of throwing a party like this, I knew we had to be involved. The kids love supporting the RAF Benevolent Fund, and it’s what it's all about isn’t it? Having fun, and giving back.

"We had about 40 young people in total who joined in the party, and thankfully the sun shone the whole day. We wore the paper crowns, played 'pin the roundel on Ben Elephant' and we even had a magician come along for the day, making balloon animals and wowing us with magic tricks – it was so fantastic.

"Everyone had such a wonderful day, all of the kids, from the younger ones to the teens, were so happy. It was so nice to them excited about The Queen, and the Fund as well. At the end of the day, we all sang 'happy birthday' too, which was a perfect way to finish off."

Airplay parties to celebrate The Queen's birthday will be taking place throughout the month. Stations including RAF Benson, RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Cosford  are just three of the stations holding  a celebration on Sunday itself, when thousands will converge on The Mall for the Patron's Lunch.