SOUTH Lakeland revellers did not let the rain dampen their party spirits as they celebrated the Queen's 90th birthday last weekend.

All across the area, residents took to streets and community halls to enjoy homemade Victoria sponges, as well as games and entertainment.

Tea was the drink of the day for many, with those in Coniston enjoying a vintage inspired afternoon tea party.

Denise Waring, a member of the Coniston Christmas Lights Committee, who organised the event, said that around 80 people attended.

"For a small community like ours, it's just nice that everybody turns out," she said. "It's just a nice community get together. I think it's nice to show support for royal things."

In Sandylands, a crowd of more than 250 people gathered on the estate to celebrate Her Majesty's birthday.

With the area having been hit badly by December's floods, community worker Jonny Gios said it was a great opportunity for the residents to come together.

"We wanted to have a street party to celebrate the Queen’s birthday and those who have returned back to their homes," he said. "However, we wanted to also cheer those people who are not yet back in their homes for whatever reason."

Those in attendance enjoyed a performance from former Britain's Got Talent star, Steven Hall, as well as plenty of sweet snacks.

Dave Benjamin, a local resident who was flooded and is not back in his home yet, spoke at the street party.

"Since these floods, I’ve made more friends in the last six months than I’ve made in the last two years," he said. "The community coming together has been fantastic."

The team at Hallgarth Community Centre in Kendal took a slightly different approach to the day, hosting a 'Big Lunch' event to bring together those who might be suffering from loneliness or isolation.

For families attending the event, there was also games, and of course a special birthday cake was on offer for everyone to enjoy a slice of.

Another Kendal hub, St George's Church, also hosted a successful party, with more than 200 people attending to enjoy music, the classic 'splat the rat' and garden-sized draughts.

In Grasmere, attendees partied well into the evening, with a picnic in the park on Broadgate Meadow during the day and a supper dance in the village hall in the evening, including music from a live band and a classically British fish and chip supper.

And in Kirkby Lonsdale a double celebration was in order at Lunesdale Hall as a local woman set to have her own 90th birthday on Saturday (June 18) was in attendance.

Kitty McEwan, who lives in Eaveslea, Kirkby Lonsdale, said that the afternoon was 'very enjoyable'.

"I support the Queen and I was with friends," she said. "It was an event that will not happen again. It was about loyalty to the Queen and about seeing friends."