Salisbury marked the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with the lighting of a beacon at Old Sarum. 

A ceremony was held on Thursday, June 2, which was attended by Salisbury City and Wiltshire councillors, MP John Glen and 70 lucky residents. 

Salisbury residents were given the opportunity to apply to attend the ceremony, and, in line with the number of years of Her Majesty’s reign, 70 applicants were picked at random.

And for one, it was an even more memorable moment as on the night the names were all put into a draw to get the chance to light the beacon alongside the Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Tom Corbin, and Deputy Lieutenant Dr Phil Harding.

Marie Delargy was that lucky person to light the beacon at Old Sarum, which was part of the anchor chain - the first beacons to be lit in the UK at 9.30pm on Thursday, June 2.

On being chosen to light the beacon, the 62-year-old said: "It was amazing."

She says she was never expecting to be picked to be part of the beacon lighting and had filled out the application to form to attend to be part of the "once in a lifetime" event. 

More than 1,500 Platinum Jubilee Beacons will be lit across the UK and Commonwealth on the first evening of the four-day Jubilee Weekend.

Salisbury mayor, Cllr Tom Corbin added: "This is a momentous moment. It is a once in a lifetime moment and a real privilege to be able to help mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee."

"My mayoral year has been very special to be able to mark it with this jubilee event," said Cllr Corbin who has also been able to be part of other celebrations taking place in the city.

He said ending the day's celebrations with the lighting of the beacon made it "extra-special".

"It will be a moment that lasts with all these people and myself, and I hope for many others, for many years and decades to come."

Dr Phil Harding said it was a "spellbinding privilege" to be part of the lighting of the jubilee beacon. 

"It is such a monumental event in our nation's history to have a monarch that has lasted for 70 years and is still going strong. What an example she is to all of us - that sense of duty is just amazing," he added. 

"I think it is appropriate that we should have this occasion at the origins  of the city."

Music for the ceremony was provided by the city's British Legion Band.

MP John Glen, who also attended the ceremony, said it was a "fantastic experience", adding: "It was a great privilege to witness the lighting of the beacon and reflect on Her Majesty's 70 years of distinguished service."