THE sky above Dumbarton will be lit up to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee later this year. 

The beacon, which is traditionally considered to be a symbol of hope, will be lit at around 9.45pm on Thursday, June 2 alongside more than 1,500 in other areas all over the United Kingdom.  

The ceremony is set to take place at Dumbarton Castle and will mark Queen Elizabeth's 70 years as Monarch.

A programme of events has also been created for schools as well as early learning and childcare centres in the area to participate in.

Youngsters will be able to take part in a number of activities including the Queen's Green Canopy, which will see new trees planted in every educational establishment in the area, and a Get Growing event which is hoped to encourage schools to sow, grow, and share vegetables with their communities. 

The West Dunbartonshire Council Big Jubilee Lunch will be held between June 5 and June 9 using food grown by pupils. 

Council employees from the Instrumental Music Service will be performing a live selection of music in a park in West Dunbartonshire on string, woodwind, and brass instruments.

Walks and cycle tours will be running in the hopes of encouraging pupils to visit areas of historic and natural significance. 

A poetry competition and exhibition will also be held to encourage young people to get creative with art and poetry, with the winning entries put on display.

West Dunbartonshire Council will close on June 3 to "honour the occasion". 

Bailie Denis Agnew, convenor of the council’s cultural committee, said this will be a “historic moment”.

Bailie Agnew said: “This will be a historic moment, as it is the first time any British monarch has celebrated a Platinum Jubilee, and so we are delighted to participate in the celebrations.

“Whether it is taking in live music in our parks or helping local schools grow vegetables, we want all residents to have the opportunity to enjoy the event.”

Councillor Jonathan McColl, the committe's vice-convener and the council's leader, added: “As a council we have committed to an ambitious target of being net-zero by 2045.

“Participating in the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative of planting more trees around West Dunbartonshire educational establishments will leave a legacy which supports that vision.”