Patriotic crowds turn out to St Peter's Square as beacon beams lasers into sky to mark Queen's Jubilee

Patriotic crowds turned out to Manchester city centre on Thursday evening to mark the official lighting of the beacon, as the Queen's Jubilee bank holiday weekend continues. A countdown was held in St Peter's Square, although there was some confusion among spectators due to a delay in all the electronic lights being switched on.

After a few moments, the lights beamed up towards the sky, following a day that saw Mancunians celebrate in royal fashion across the region. Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Donna Ludford lit the beacon, spanning a towering column of light into the sky

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Cllr Ludford described the event as 'fantastic'. She said: "It's brought communities together, it was amazing. It will never happen again. Everyone is here to celebrate."

Speaking about the delay mishap, she said 'things happen' adding 'I don't think anyone noticed did they.'

The beacon, which beamed from St Peter's Square at 9.45pm, is one of over 1,500 lit up by charities, communities and faith groups across the UK and Commonwealth for Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The ceremony formed as part of the series of events announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee weekend, as the Queen became the first British monarch to reach the milestone of a 70 year reign.

It was a way to end a day that kicked off large street parties and proud nods to British history across the region. Thousands hit the pubs and tucked into buffets, as Union Jack bunting lined roads and gardens. The Manchester Evening Newsventured out to see how Mancs were celebrating throughout Thursday.

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Other beacons were also lit in Bury, Carrington,