A Dumbarton councillor has joined care home residents in kicking off a weekend of Jubilee celebrations.

Cllr Michelle McGinty visited residents at Crosslet House and enjoyed a Royal-themed garden party with treats and musical entertainment provided by local band Toast.

Cllr McGinty, recently appointed as the chair of West Dunbartonshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) committee, paid tribute to the hard-working staff at the home.

She said: “It was a pleasure to meet the residents at Crosslet House and share in their memories of the Queen during the early stages of her reign.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the staff who worked hard to make this occasion so special for the residents.

“Every day the dedicated staff at care homes across West Dunbartonshire go above and beyond to meet the needs of the residents in their care. This effort by Crosslet House is a shining example of that commitment.

“The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is a truly special and historic moment and in West Dunbartonshire we are delighted to join the rest of the country in marking her 70 years as monarch.”

Many of the residents recalled personal memories of The Queen’s Coronation in 1953 including Beth Watts, who was 19 at the time.

She said: “It was a lovely day. I can see it in my mind still – the Queen sitting in her carriage looking beautiful and everyone around her cheering.

“I remember here in West Dunbartonshire there were a lot of flags and celebrations too and it’s lovely that all these years on we are having another wee party to celebrate.”

Other special events taking place across West Dunbartonshire include the lighting of a beacon of hope at Dumbarton Castle.

Provost Douglas McAllister, Dunbartonshire’s Vice Lord Lieutenant Linda Moffat and the council’s chief executive Joyce White will attend the ceremony on Thursday evening to light the beacon, accompanied by music provided by piper Colin Lawrie.

The council will also be flying the union flag from civic buildings throughout the extended bank holiday weekend and will have a day of closure on Friday to allow employees to enjoy the occasion with their families.