A Luston family hit the '1952' target in the nation-wide chain of blazing beacons lit to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.

Sally Burnett, Neil Lloyd and family officially registered the 1,952nd beacon with organisers of the Golden Jubilee Summer Party

Spokeswoman for the organisation Sue Bassett said the aim was to secure 1952 beacons to represent the year Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne.

The target was exceeded - more than 1,900 beacons blazed on Monday night - but Luston's claim to fame was that the beacon registered by Sally Burnett was officially number 1952, the target beacon, said Ms Bassett.

Neigbours Chris and Matthew Morgan helped by making a pole-mounted metal fire basket which was filled with wood and coal. An impromptu party was hastily arranged to mark the beacon lighting at Sally and Neil's home at Stonycroft Farm on the Luston-Yarpole Lane. Fireworks lit the sky and the beacon blazed through the night.

"It was a last minute rush but it all worked out well," said Neil. The family was thrilled to learn of the registration surprise - their Luston beacon was a 'special' in the largest chain ever to be lit for Royal or any other celebration in modern times.

Sally and Neil, breeders and showers of Belgian Blue cattle, were spurred into action after reading an item in a farming paper. Their initiative was a fundraiser for the farming charity the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

l Donations are still welcome c/o the couple at Stonycroft Farm, Luston.