A SUDDEN downpour failed to dampen the spirits of primary schoolchildren who held their own special coronation to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Ox Close Primary School, in Spennymoor, went ahead with crowning their own King and Queen, Luke Norris, four, and Becky Taylor, five, during a party yesterday.

A day of fun, food and celebration was planned in the school grounds yesterday with invitations issued to parents and neighbours and the town mayor.

But heavy rain forced the school to host its jubilee party in the main hall and classrooms.

On the morning, the children took part in games that were played by youngsters of the same age in the 1950s.

Games such as guess the weight of the cake and how many sweets in the jar were discovered by the children who researched activities from the year of the Queen's coronation.

In the afternoon, visitors crammed into the tiny school to watch as Luke and Becky were officially crowned King and Queen.

Afterwards, each child was presented with a souvenir of the Royal occasion.

Headteacher Jo Frost said: "Despite the weather we have had a lovely time. Every child was dressed in red, white and blue and the support we have had from parents has been phenomenal.'