The Chairman of Essex County Council has written to Her Majesty the Queen to congratulate her on her 90th birthday.
To mark the day, Cllr Norman Hume joined well-wishers at Marsh Farm Country Park, South Woodham Ferrers, to light the Essex beacon, forming part of a chain of more than 1,000 beacons across the country.
Ahead of the event he read out a special birthday message from the Prince of Wales.
Cllr Hume said: “It is a great privilege as Chairman of the County Council to write to Her Majesty on behalf of Essex and offer our birthday wishes.
"Over her life she has seen enormous change, but throughout her reign has shown enormous duty and service.
“The beacon lighting was a very fitting way to mark her birthday and a good opportunity to acknowledge and give our gratitude for the example she sets.”
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