A CHURCH in Thornbury will play host to a special service this month to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.

St Mary’s Church will host a special invite-only service on April 21, the actual day of Her Majesty’s birthday, with around 50 residents from the area at the landmark age of 90 set to attend.

Also invited are a number of charities and community and voluntary organisations as well as representatives from town and parish councils.

As one of the central points in the county, this event will serve as the main service for the whole of South Gloucestershire.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: “This year the Queen reaches her 90th birthday. In recognition, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter DBE and the Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Erica Williams have invited people from community and voluntary organisations, town and parish councils, individuals and charities which do so much to support the community of South Gloucestershire to a special event.

“They have also invited approximately 50 90-year-olds who will be celebrating significant milestones in their lives. The special celebratory church service is on April 21, the actual day of Her Majesty's birthday, as opposed to the mid-June official birthday.”

Regarding rumours that the Queen herself would be in attendance at the event, acting Thornbury town clerk Judith Payne said: “Unfortunately this is not the case, as much as we would love to have the Queen as the special guest in Thornbury for her celebration, I am afraid they are just rumours.”