LIVE updates as Greater Manchester celebrates the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Communities across Greater Manchester are coming together this bank holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Her Majesty is the first British monarch to reach the milestone, having reigned for an incredible 70 years.

To mark the occasion, a host of parties and events are taking place over the special four-day bank holiday. The Manchester Evening News is heading out and about over the coming days to see how the region is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Jubilee kicks off this morning (June 2) with the Trooping the Colour parade, which honours the Queen's 'official' birthday. More than 1,200 soldiers and officers will be taking part in the tradition, along with 400 musicians from 10 military bands and corps.

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The event takes place at Horse Guards Parade in London, with the whole thing broadcast on TV. There will also be an RAF flyover in London following on from the Trooping the Colour.

Tonight, a number of Jubilee Beacons are being lit across the country to mark the occasion, including around Greater Manchester. The city centre will host its own Jubilee Beacon lighting at St Peter's Square, with celebrations kicking off at around 9pm before the beacon is lit at 9.45pm.

Other beacons will also be lit in Bury, Carrington, Oldham, Saddleworth, Salford, Stockport and the Trafford Centre. More than 1,500 beacons will be lit up in total around the UK and the Commonwealth.

And bunting is lining streets across Greater Manchester throughout the long weekend as parties are held to mark the occasion. Follow the latest updates from celebrations around the region and beyond in