THE region is preparing for a full weekend of revels and celebrations to mark the Golden Jubilee.

To help readers celebrate the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty's reign, The Northern Echo has compiled a guide to the pick of Golden Jubilee events in your neighbourhood over the coming days.

Festivities across the North-East and North Yorkshire range from children's parties and line dancing events to exhibitions of Royal memorabilia and fancy dress parades. Parties are taking place from today right through to next weekend.

Religious services include a jubilee evensong service at 3.30pm on Sunday, in Durham Cathedral led by the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend John Arnold, and featuring a sermon read by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull.

* While we have made every effort to ensure the details are accurate, it is advisable to check with organisers before setting off.

TODAY

GREAT AYTON: All day. Teddy bears' picnic at Scallywags. Afternoon. Children's parties with a red, white and blue theme at Roseberry Community School and Marwood School.

MIDDLESBROUGH: 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Jubilee tea dance at Southlands Leisure Centre, costing £1.50 for Leisure Link members and £1.80 for non-members. Call (01642) 300428 for details.

TOMORROW

GREAT AYTON: 10am. Children's sports on Low Green. At 2pm there is a Golden Jubilee Fete organised by parish council. Floats and procession led by Langbaurgh Brass Band from Low Green to High Green, where there will be stalls and sideshows. From 8pm to midnight there will be a dance in parochial church hall, music by Matt Vinyl and the Decorators and there will be a licensed bar.

Hartlepool: Morning. The Museum of Hartlepool, on Hartlepool Historic Quay, holds a circus skills workshop. During the afternoon, help Jackson Dock to celebrate its 150th anniversary by making flags to hang on the Wingfield Castle paddle steamer. From 2pm, Captain Bullock's Show will delight the landlubbers with his magic tricks.

Saltburn: 6.30pm to 8pm. New Horizons will perform a concert at the bandstand in the Valley Gardens.

STOCKTON: Noon to 4pm. Jubilee Fun Day at Preston Hall Museum, with badge making, face-painting, jubilee crafts, a crown hunt and a 1950s music quiz. Admission is £1.20 for adults, 60p concessions and children. Family tickets available.

SUNDAY

GREAT AYTON: 3pm. Duck race from Suggitts ice cream shop to Low Green. At 6pm there will be an ecumenical service at Christ Church, organised by Ayton churches together.

GUISBOROUGH: At Margrove Heritage Centre, youngsters can discover what it was like at the time of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, with a series of games and quizzes at The Victorians exhibition.

HARTLEPOOL: 2pm. Jubilee Celebration Party in Ward Jackson Park which includes free entertainment by the band Strangers on a Stage, Mr Windbags the Magician and more. 2.30pm. Ecumenical Service in Croft Gardens, on the Headland, organised by Churches Together and led by the Reverend Peter Kashouris, rector of St Hilda's Church. At the Museum of Hartlepool, on Hartlepool Historic Quay, youngsters can have a go at making their own crown.

Redcar: 3pm. A Golden Jubilee Songs of Praisewill be held in the Baptist Church, Park Avenue. A light buffet will be available after the service.

SALTBURN: 2.30pm to 4pm. Marske Band will perform at the bandstand in the Valley Gardens.

MONDAY

GREAT AYTON: 4pm to 8pm. Family picnic on High Green, bring your own picnic and chairs. At 9.45pm, one of a national chain of beacons will be lit at Captain Cook's monument.

HARTLEPOOL: 8.30pm. Beacon lighting at Seaton Carew, with Highland piper and a musket salute by the Hartlepool Marines Society. At 9.45pm, the Headland beacon will be lit on the Town Moor, followed by a fireworks display at 10pm. The Museum of Hartlepool will hold its Circle of Life Celebrations which show how other cultures celebrate events.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Noon to 6pm. Golden Jubilee event in the grounds of Macmillan College, attended by mayor Ray Mallon, and featuring inflatable volleyball, children's entertainment and family games.

REDCAR: At Kirkleatham Hall Museum, Redcar, children can learn how to make and decorate crown jewels.

SALTBURN: 2.30pm to 4pm. Silverwood Band performs at the bandstand in the Valley Gardens. The community theatre on Albion Terrace will be used as an alternative in the case of bad weather. From 10am to 4pm, there will be an exhibition of memorabilia from local people, at Saltburn Community Centre.

TUESDAY

GREAT AYTON: Pensioners' lunch and entertainment in the parochial hall, organised by Rose Featherstone. At 7.30pm, there will be a choir concert featuring the Mosaic Singers in Christ Church.

Loftus: 7pm to 10pm. A dance at Loftus Town Hall with a £1 contribution towards a shared supper, payable at the door.

SALTBURN: 7.30pm. 1950s band New Horizons will perform at an indoor street party in Saltburn Community Centre. Tickets cost £5, or £4 in advance, from Saltburn Tourist Information Centre. Patrons are advised to bring their own bottle.

STOCKTON: 10.30am. Fun day at the town's Asda store, with a balloon race, competitions, face painting, children's rides and bouncy castle.

THURSDAY

LOFTUS: 7.30pm. Cleveland Police Band concert in St Leonard's Church, called Music For A Royal Occasion. Tickets cost £2 from Loftus Library and the council office.

NORMANBY: 2pm to 4pm. Countryside wardens at the Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park at Normanby host a Golden Jubilee treasure hunt. Entry costs 50p. For details call (01642) 459629.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

LOFTUS: 3pm. Children's fancy dress and disco competition at Loftus Town Hall.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

LOFTUS: 3pm. Thanksgiving service in St Leonard's Church, with refreshments available afterwards in the town hall.