A giant beacon will be lit outside the Alban Arena tonight to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday

St Albans Mayor, Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, will set the beacon and pyrotechnic lights ablaze on the balcony of the theatre.

A celebratory cake made by local company Heaven is a Cupcake, and tea and coffee will be served during the family event which starts at 7.30pm and concludes with the lighting of the beacon at 8.30pm. St Albans City Band will also be playing.

The beacon is one of more than a thousand that will be set alight this evening across Britain and other countries.

The Queen will light one at Windsor following a walkabout in the town accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Members of the Army cadet force will light beacons on top of the highest mountains in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Mount Snowden and Slieve Donard.

The Mayor said: “I am looking forward to lighting up St Albans to mark the Queen’s birthday. It is great that St Albans is taking part in this huge national event.

“It will be a spectacular occasion and I hope as many people as possible join us to show their support for our Queen.

“I am sure the centre of St Albans will look magnificent in the light and flames generated by the beacon. It will be well worth seeing.”