BEACONS will be lit across west Dorset to celebrate The Queen's 90th birthday on Thursday.

In celebration of The Queen's milestone birthday, The National Trust will light beacons across the country from 7.30pm until 8.30pm, including Thorncombe Beacon on the Golden Cap Estate.

The trust is lighting ten beacons across the south west, including at Corfe Castle and Glastonbury Tor in Somerset - while beacons will also be lit in Bridport, Lyme Regis and Charmouth.

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will light the 'principal beacon' at Windsor Castle. This will be followed by the lighting of a number of beacons along the Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, including one at the Copper Horse, and then more than 1,000 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK overseas territories to celebrate the landmark birthday.

The beacon at Thorncombe was lit last year as part of the National Trust's coast celebrations.

Mark Harold, National Trust regional director for the south west, said: "We are honoured to be taking part in the celebrations marking the 90th birthday of Her Majesty The Queen.

"Our beacons at iconic locations such as Glastonbury Tor and St Michael’s Mount, span the breadth of our very special places here in the south west, enabling local communities and visitors alike to mark this very special moment."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

The traditional beacon for Bridport will be lit at 8.30pm on Coneygar Hill.

Local organisations and members of the public are invited to attend the event, hosted by Bridport Mayor, Cllr Sandra Brown.

At 9pm, the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Owen Lovell, will also light a beacon to celebrate The Queen's 90th birthday. The beacon will be lit on Back Beach and will follow music from the Lyme Regis Town Band.

Cllr Lovell said: “I am delighted to have the honour of lighting the Lyme Regis beacon to mark this very special occasion and hope to see many of the town’s residents at Thursday’s celebrations.

“It will be quite a spectacle to see the town’s beacon lit on the beach, which many people will know can usually be found near the Cobb Gate anchor displaying a floral arrangement.

“This is just the start of a whole series of events to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday, with many more community events planned for June, including parties and cream teas. More details will be made available closer to the time.”

Beacons were also lit in 2012 to celebrate The Queen's diamond jubilee and last year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Charmouth Parish Council will also mark The Queen's birthday by lighting a beacon on Thursday, but has warned people not to put themselves in danger along fragile cliffs.

A council spokeswoman said: "The beacon, which will be lit at 8.30pm, will be located on the cliff to the east of the village, leading to Stonebarrow.

"In view of the instability of the cliffs in this area access to the site will be closed but anyone wishing to view the beacon and show their support will be very welcome to come along and meet in the car park by the heritage centre."