Darlington residents are being given an opportunity to personally pass on their congratulations to the Queen as she celebrates her golden jubilee.

The town's MP, Alan Milburn, joined the leader of Darlington Borough Council, Councillor John Williams, and Mayor Councillor Isobel Hartley, to launch the borough's Book of Congratulations and Good Wishes yesterday.

It is available in the reception at Darlington Town Hall, and visitors can write a message to mark the event.

People in residential homes and similar places around the borough will also get their chance to pass on their congratulations, because the book has been produced in loose-leaf form, so it can be circulated.

The book will be bound into volumes later in the year and sent to Buckingham Palace.