COMMUNITIES across the North-East will embark on the first day of celebrations today as part of the extended bank holiday.

Thousands are expected to celebrate at street parties, picnics, processions and other special events taking place throughout the region over the next four days.

Among the highlights will be North Tyneside's world famous Window on the World (WoW) Festival, at North Shields today, tomorrow and Monday, and this morning's jubilee parade through Newcastle involving 2,000 people.

Many religious centres, including Durham Cathedral, will hold special services tomorrow, and those unable to travel to London will be able to view the festivities at Buckingham Palace on a giant screen outside Newcastle's Centre for Life.

But while a sunny outlook is forecast for today, with temperatures reaching up to 23 degrees celsius, rain and unsettled weather are expected tomorrow and on Monday.

Revellers planning street parties on Monday may face showers, but the region's outlook for Tuesday is brighter, with the sunshine predicted to return.

While many are staying at home to celebrate the jubilee and watch the World Cup, others are taking the opportunity to get away.

The region's airports are expected to be busy, with Newcastle Airport predicting that nearly 47,000 people will arrive or depart through its doors.

Chris Sanders, the airport's business development director, said: "In addition to those jetting off for their summer holiday, a lot of people will be taking advantage of the extra long weekend and heading off for city breaks in Europe. Others will be flying down to London to take part in the jubilee celebrations."

The RAC appealed to those planning to drive over the Bank Holiday to avoid travelling this morning and Tuesday evening. It predicted a reverse of the usual weekend exodus from the capital, where the celebrations will include a star-studded pop concert on Monday and a ceremonial procession on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Nexus, which is putting on extra Metro trains and ferries to transport people to and from the Wow Festival, said he hoped that people would leave their cars at home and take advantage of the additional public transport.

David Mallender, a spokesman for GNER, encouraged those planning longer journeys to go by train.

"We are going to be busy, but we don't expect to have as many passengers as at Easter," he said.

"There are plenty of seats available if anyone wants to take a last minute trip."

Those planning to take to the region's beaches were warned to beware of tides and slippery cliff edges.