Holidaymakers airlifted from caravan park as a torrent of flood water caused by June monsoon rages through the site in the early hours

-RAF winch nine people from flooded caravan park in West Wales
-Fire crews also rescue another 46 as rescue boats are called in
-Sea King helicopters, life boats and fire crews all called in to rescue dozens
-RNLI rescue have to be saved themselves after becoming stranded during rescue attempt
-Caravan site owner warns that water levels are still rising as coastal area waits for midday high tide
-Stunned holidaymakers tell how flood waters submerged 'everything in their way' after nearby river burst banks
-Met Office issues weather warnings for Wales, south-west England, the Midlands, London and the South East
-Gales claimed life of 18-year-old man yesterday when he was flung from his moped in Lancing, West Sussex
-'European monsoon' set to continue into next week with unsettled weather set to last at least a fortnight

By Chris Parsons


Submerged: Static homes at the Riverside Caravan Park in Aberystwyth suffer torrents of water following heavy rain overnight

Nearly 50 holidaymakers have been rescued from a flooded riverside caravan park this morning after serious flooding in West Wales.

Dozens of people had to be saved from torrents of overnight rain in Aberystwyth, with nine airlifted to safety due to the deluge of water.

Royal Air Force Sea King helicopters, inshore life boats and fire service rescue boats were called to the Riverside Caravan Park in Llandre, Bow Street, near Aberystwyth, where 'numerous people' need help.

The monsoon-like rainfall which has swept across parts of Britain in the past week is set to continue for most of the weekend, as forecasters predicted thundery showers in what is becoming a soggy summer.


Rescue: Life boats reach the corner of the caravan park, where torrential waters have partly-submerged cars and reached half-way up some of the holiday homes

Two cars are almost washed away as water levels reached several feet high this morning on the Welsh site

In West Wales earlier today, fire crews rescued 35 people using inshore life boats and a further 11 from a nearby caravan park.

Dramatic scenes even saw an RNLI rescue crew require airlifting themselves, after becoming stranded while attempting to save others from the torrents of water.

Holidaymakers have been pulled to safety this morning due to a 'heavy current of water running through the caravan park', according to the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.


Washout: A man walks through a flooded street in Ceredigion, as a deluge of overnight water hit West Wales.

Fighting the tide: Fire crews survey the scene in Ceredigion as flood waters engulf one of the main streets.

Caravan residents told how they woke up in the middle of the night to see large parts of the site being submerged in water.

Katie Hughes, who had been in a caravan with her young children, told Sky News today: 'The first we knew about it was at about 3.40am when we were woken up.

'There was water everywhere and parts of the caravan were almost completely underwater.

'I've never seen anything like this but everyone is pulling together. It is the entire caravan park that has become on big river.

'The water has come from the side of the river and has just taken everything in its way.'

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said Milford Haven Coastguard were contacted by Dyfed Powys police at 4.30am requesting assistance at a caravan park at the side of the River Lery near Borth.

Chief Inspector Robin Mason, of Dyfed Powys Police, said it was difficult to give an exact number of those rescued, but said he was 'aware of about 30 to 40 people evacuated from various places' and there were 'probably more'.

Stephen South, the owner of the Riverside Caravan Park, told how a crew from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution had attempted to evacuate residents, but ended up having to be airlifted themselves.

Mr South told the Daily Telegraph that an RAF Sea King helicopter which had been airlifting residents from static homes also had to save the inshore lifeboat crew.

He said: 'At 2am the river that runs alongside the site breached the banks. It gradually got worse and we have been evacuating people ever since.

'They launched the life boat to get people but the force of the water swept the lifeboat into one of the buildings.

'The last people to be rescued were the lifeboat crew.'

He told the BBC: 'When caravan parks have about 2ft of water, people have been able to make their own way in an orderly manner.

'Since dawn, a lot of people have decided to leave by their own accord.'

He said some people were trapped in buildings, but added: 'However, they are upstairs.

'We have emergency rescue teams in the area with inflatables and we are in the process of evacuating people.'

Aberystwyth and Borth Coastguard rescue teams were called out as well as the Borth RNLI inshore lifeboat.


Monster: A huge wave crashes against the lighthouse at Porthcawl, South Wales as gale force winds are predicted to reach up to 80mph


Water logged: High winds and stormy seas lash the seaside town of Aberystwyth in Wales


Whoops: The 70mph winds in Poole, Dorset blew a roof at Sunseeker Yachts on top of one of the factory's 28metre super yachts, worth £5million. Ironically, the unnamed owner had been due to make the final payment on the boat today


White horses: Gale Force Winds cause enormous waves to crash against the sea wall and lighthouse at Porthcawl, Wales, left, while right, a surfer braves the swell at Coney Beach at Porthcawl

Not quite in the right place: The 42ft Yacht Iona worth £200,000, lies on the shingle at St Mawes, Cornwall after breaking her mooring last night in the heavy storm

A rescue helicopter was also requested and sent to the scene, the MCA said in a statement.

The rescue teams helped 20 people from their caravans, and two of them needed help from ambulance crews because of mobility difficulties.

The statement added there was concern for others at other caravan parks further down the river and coastguard rescue teams were deployed to them.

George Crumpler, Cambrian sector manager, said: 'We responded to the request for assistance and are evacuating those at risk with the help of the other emergency services.'

RAF search and rescue crew member Sergeant Dickie Myers told Sky News: 'We were airborne just after five o'clock, we were told there were floods in the area.

'We saw the river was fairly swollen, the water level was above car levels in some places, and up to the windows of static caravans.

'Thankfully there was an on scene coordinator from the coastguard.

'We did all we could, and when we left the area we felt we'd helped everybody that we could.'

Resident Sam Ebenezer, in Talybont, told the BBC: 'The amount of water is just amazing, it's flowing from higher ground, incredible scenes, it's devastating seeing close friends' housing being soaked all the way through.

'The fire crews have done an amazing job.

'Older residents are saying that in 60 years they've never seen the river as high as this. I think it's high tide at around 12 o'clock, we're hoping that's not going to make more mess.'



Running for cover: A sodden girl runs through the water left by crashing waves at Southsea, Portsmouth


Silly move: A man gets a drenching after standing on the sea wall at Southsea, left, while right, two men, brace the rain to jog along the front

Dark angel: A father and daughter brave dismal conditions to walk past the Angel of the North in Gateshead as the rain continues

Elsewhere, organisers have been forced to cancel an annual South Asian festival that regularly attracts over 100,000 visitors due to the bad weather.

The Bradford Mela, due to be held today, has been cancelled for safety reasons after the park in which it is held became heavily waterlogged.

The free event, which combines markets, funfairs, food and drink, arts, music, dance and children's activities, has been held at Peel Park in Bradford since 1998.

A statement on Bradford District Council's website read: 'The council's events organiser and parks managers assessed conditions at Peel Park this morning and the heavily waterlogged ground conditions left them with no other option but to cancel the Mela for safety reasons.

'Council officers deemed the huge infrastructure of the Mela, which consists of stages, marquees, fairground rides and temporary buildings, could be compromised by the soft and shifting ground in Peel Park. The Mela was organised for Saturday June 9 from 12pm until 8pm.

'Inspections revealed pools of standing water in key areas, including the car park. The Met Office adviser confirmed to us that there will be continued showers throughout today and overnight, meaning that the showers will add to already saturated ground.

'There were also concerns that attempts to use the park would severely damage the ground, including community football pitches, and would take several seasons of work to repair.'


Tree house: A firefighter clambers over a house, which was blown down by high winds on Cathedral road in Cardiff, South Wales


We're singing in the rain! One little girl, sensibly dressed in full wet-weather outfit, beams with delight as the waves crash against the sea wall in Clevedon, near Bristol


Soaked! A mother and child battle against the wind and spray from enormous waves in Clevedon, near Bristol


C'mon mum, it's fun: Heather Major isn't quite so sure as her daughters, Isobel, eight, right and Eloise, six, left, brave the waves in Clevedon, near Bristol, left, while right, a man watches as wall after wall of water hits the sea wall on the same front



Blowing in: A bedraggled family watch the waves as they walk thier dog along the Chesil beach in Portland, Dorset


Brolly annoying: Two women wrestle with their umbrellas in heavy rain in Birmingham



source:dailymail

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Scientists unveil 20 new species ... including a giant blue scorpion and massive hairy spider (how DID we ever get by without them?)

By Eddie Wrenn


Brave scientists: To discover a species such as the goliath bird-eating spider is one thing - to put your hand next to it is quite another

For 20 years, field scientists working with Conversation International have been exploring some of the world’s most abundant, mysterious and threatened tropical ecosystems.

To date, they have discovered more than 1,300 species new to science - although so far only 500 or so have been formally described by taxonomists, in terms of classification and naming.

And now, to celebrate their 20 years of cataloguing, the group has released 20 of their favourite finds.

While some - like the fish that flashes a beautiful array of colours when it is in love - make a great sight, others are more than likely to quiver, such as the giant blue scorpion, or the ants which hook on to each other with sharp barbs when threatened.

And arachnophobes - take a deep breath, because this is what is thought to be the largest tarantula known to exist - oh, and it eats lizards.

Sends a shiver: This is the largest (by mass) spider in the world, reaching the weight of 170g and a leg span of 30cm

The giant spider is the Goliath bird eating spider (theraphosa blondi) and is the largest (by mass) spider in the world, reaching the weight of 170g and leg span of 30cm.

It was observed by Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program scientists in Guyana in 2006, where it lives in burrows on the floor of lowland rainforests.

Despite the name, it feeds primarily on invertebrates - but have been observed eating small mammals, lizards and even venomous snakes.

They have venom fangs, which are not deadly to humans, but their main line of defense are hairs that cover their entire body – when threatened their rub their legs agains the abdomen and send a cloud of microscopic barbs that lodge in the skin and mucus membranes of the attacker, causing pain and long-lasting irritation.


The Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator): With an eight-inches-long body, this is one of the largest scorpions in the world (a species from India is reputedly slightly longer)


Meanwhile the emperor scorpion (pandinus imperator) has an eight-inches-long body, this is one of the largest scorpions in the world - a species from India is reputedly slightly longer.

Observed by scientists in Atewa, Ghana in 2006. Despite their enormous size they feed primarily on termites and other small invertebrates, and its venom is not particularly harmful to humans.

The venom of this species contains compounds that are being tested as potential drugs to control arrhythmia (a heart disease) and the blue fluorescent betacarbolines that cover its body (visible only in ultraviolet light) are studied in order to understand degeneration of proteins in human eye lenses, which leads to cataract blindness.

Not new to science, but observed by the RAP team, is the fish-hook ant. Scientists, as well as mammal and bird predators, think twice before messing with this large (1.5 cm) ant in the forests of Cambodia - their curved spines can easily slice through skin and tend to hold on for a while.

These ants live in large numbers in nests in dead tree trunks on the forest floor, and when attacked they swarm out and hook onto each other, making extracting an individual ant by a predator difficult.

The hooking together behavior is inadvertent - they do not seek each other to hook together - but nevertheless quite effective as a defense mechanism.

Ants play an important ecological role as scavengers - they are often some of the first organisms to feed on dead insects and animals, which help to recycle organic material back into the ecosystem and to keep dead animals from piling up.


A fish-hook ant spotted in Cambodia in 2007: These ants live in large numbers in nests in dead tree trunks - their curved spines can easily slice through skin and tend to hold on for a while


The RAP project's achievements are highlighted in the new book 'Still Counting…'

edited by Leeanne Alonso, Director of CI's Rapid Assessment Program in collaboration with other leading scientists.

Part memoir, part historical report, part methodology guide, 'Still Counting…'
revisits RAP expeditions to some of the most remote and least known areas on the planet, recounting the physical challenges and personal highlights experienced by its scientists and features more than 400 amazing color photographs of rare and exciting species from around the globe.

'It's been an amazing adventure,' said Alonso, who has coordinated and led surveys for the past 13 years.

'Despite the pressures we put on nature, it continues to mystify, inspire and teach us with a wealth of hidden treasures and ecosystem services that people rely on, and that we're still only beginning to understand.'

To mark the twenty years, CI has designated the Top 20 'RAP stars' of the program's history. Species include some of the most biologically surprising, unique, or threatened discoveries of the teams' surveys, and include poster species that have captured the public's and media's imagination with popular nicknames like the 'Pinocchio frog'.

Launched in 1990, the idea behind the creation of CI's Rapid Assessment Program was to build a team of the best field biologists from different disciplines, and create what CI founder, CEO, and Chairman Peter Seligmann described in the foreword to the book as 'An ecological SWAT team that could accurately assess the health of an ecosystem in a fraction of the time it would normally take'.

Among the program's achievements, are the completion of 80 surveys in 27 countries, including 51 terrestrial RAPs, 15 MarineRAPs and 13 freshwater AquaRAPs.

The next animal on the list is the strumigenys tigris ant, which lives in the leaf litter of rainforests of Papua New Guinea.

This tiny ant, about 2 mm long, walks around with its mandibles held wide open so that it can capture small invertebrates with a lightning fast snap.

Its colour pattern may help it blend into the rotting sticks in which it lives.

Predaceous ants such as these help to keep populations of small organisms in balance.


This tiny ant (about 2 mm long) walks around with its mandibles held wide open so that it can capture small invertebrates with a lightning fast snap

The ant, carrying a larvae, blends in with its surroundings

Nyctimystes is a large tree frog, approximately 15cm long, with enormous eyes was found next to a clear running mountain river during an expedition to Papua New Guinea’s highlands wilderness in 2008.

It belongs to a group of frogs with an unusual vein-like pattern on the eyelid and its tadpoles have enormous sucker-like mouths that allow them to graze on exposed rocks in torrential stream environments.

The abundance and diversity of amphibians are indicators of an ecosystem's general health. Amphibians are often referred to as 'the canary in the coal mine', as they have permeable skin meaning that they all too easily absorb toxins or pollutants to which they are exposed, making them some of the first species to disappear from ecosystems declining in health.

Their disappearance can be used as an early warning sign that something bad is happening to a given environment - including environments humans inhabit.

A large tree frog, approximately six inches/15 cm, with enormous eyes was found next to a clear running mountain river in Papua New Guinea

Uroplatus phantasticus, is 'the satanic leaf-tailed gecko', observed in Madagascar in 1998 - the species was first described in 1888.

The gecko is the smallest of 12 species of bizarre looking Leaf-tailed geckos and are nocturnal, with extremely cryptic camouflage.

They are only found in primary, undisturbed forests, so their populations are very sensitive to habitat destruction. Large uroplatus species have more teeth than any other living terrestrial vertebrate species.

In 2004, WWF listed all of the uroplatus species on their 'Top ten most wanted species list' of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade, because of it 'being captured and sold at alarming rates for the international pet trade'.

The satanic leaf-tailed gecko was observed in the Mantadia-Zahamena corridor of Madagascar in 1998: They are usually nocturnal animals - and very sensitive to landscape changes

The tube-nosed fruit bat nyctimene, from the Muller Range mountains does not yet have a name but has been found in other parts of New Guinea. It is likely restricted to hill forests on the island. Fruit bats are important seed dispersers in tropical forests.


What a hoot: The tube-nosed fruit bat is likely restricted to hill forests on the island of New Guinea. Fruit bats are important seed dispersers in tropical forests.

This genus of salamanders has fully webbed feet which help them climb high into the canopy of tropical forests; they also have no lungs and breathe instead through their skin

The walking shark (hemiscyllium galei), found in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia in 2006, can swim, despite the name.

However, it prefers to walk along the shallow reef flats on its fins, preying on shrimp, crabs, snails, and small fish. They emerge above the reef, show off their grandeur with lateral displays and just as quickly dive back into their coral lairs.

The chinchilla tree rat was discovered in the Vilcabamba mountain range, very close to the world famous ruins of Macchu Picchu.

It is pale grey in color, possesses a stocky build, has large claws, and is characterised by a white stripe along its head.

It is related to the chinchilla rats which are known to have been buried alongside the Incan people in their tombs.

The fact that this is a new genus (i.e. a group of individuals that have similar characteristics) made the discovery even more exciting for the team, as it suggests there could be many more similar species just waiting to be uncovered.


Don't be fooled by its name, this shark can swim! However, it prefers to walk along the shallow reef flats on its fins, preying on shrimp, crabs, snails, and small fish

The chinchilla tree rat was discovered in the Vilcabamba mountain range, very close to the world famous ruins of Macchu Picchu

The peacock katydid (Pterochroza ocellata) observed on an expedition to Guyana's Acarai Mountains in 2006.

It is a large rainforest insect that employs two effective strategies to protect itself from predators: at a casual glance it looks just like a dead, partially damaged leaf, but if threatened is suddenly reveals a pair of bright eye spots and starts jumping excitedly, which gives the impression of a giant head of a bird suddenly pecking at the attacker.

Males of this species produce very loud but almost entirely ultrasonic and thus inaudible to humans courtship call.

Peacock katydids are found across the Guiana Shield in lowland, undisturbed rainforests. While not currently threatened, their survival is closely tied to the survival of their habitat.

The RAP katydid (brachyamytta rapidoaestima) – discovered in Ghana and Guinea is a newly discovered species and a sit-and-wait predator, hiding on the underside of leaves, and attacking small insects that make the mistake of landing on the leaf.

Males communicate with the females by producing ultrasonic songs that are inaudible to humans.

It was named after the RAP program because it was first discovered during a survey in 2002 and it lives in the most threatened habitats of West Africa that the RAP program is trying to save.


At a casual glance it looks just like a dead, partially damaged leaf, but if the peacock katydid is threatened is suddenly reveals a pair of bright eye spots and starts jumping excitedly


So.... er... Don't mess with it


Dragonfly platycypha eliseva have a unique combination of colors which differentiate it from other species; specifically the yellow tipped abdomen and the red and white tibiae


The dragonfly platycypha eliseva, discovered in 2004, has a unique combination of colors which differentiate it from other species; specifically the yellow tipped abdomen and the red and white tibiae.

The species was found on three clear sandy streams within 5km of the Congo River.

Two streams were in dense forest and largely shaded, while the other ran along an oil palm plantation and was largely sunny. The species may be localized: despite being conspicuous, it is absent from the substantial collections from surrounding areas.

Dragonflies are good indicators of water quality since they need clean water, aquatic nymphs feed on other insects and aquatic organisms (predators), adults are also predatory and thus help to regulate insect populations including mosquitoes, serve as food for larger animals.

Many dragonfly larvae are voracious predators on mosquito larvae and have been used in human-health programs to control disease-carrying mosquitos

Moving on to fishes, the male paracheilinus nursalim go through an amazing courtship ritual in which "electric" colours are flashed periodically to attract nearby females

The courtship dance takes place every afternoon, beginning about one hour before sundown and continuing until dusk.

The modified mouth and lips allow the fish to feed, breathe, and attach to the substrate through suction.

Parental care is usually well-developed and the male guards the eggs and sometimes the larvae.

Meanwhile the RAP katydid (brachyamytta rapidoaestima) discovered on a survey in Ghana and Guinea.

This newly discovered species is a sit-and-wait predator, hiding on the underside of leaves, and attacking small insects that make the mistake of landing on the leaf.

Males communicate with the females by producing ultrasonic songs that are inaudible to humans. It was named after the RAP program because it was first discovered during a survey in 2002 and it lives in the most threatened habitats of West Africa that the RAP program is trying to save.


The male paracheilinus nursalim goes through an amazing courtship ritual in which 'electric' colours are flashed periodically to attract nearby females


The RAP katydid newly discovered species is a sit-and-wait predator, hiding on the underside of leaves, and attacking small insects that make the mistake of landing on the leaf

The honeyeater was discovered at an altitude of 1,650m (5,445 feet) above sea level, in the Foja Mountains of Western New Guinea

A new species called 'smoky honeyeater', discovered in the Foja Mountains of Papua province, Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea in 2005.

The honeyeater was discovered at an altitude of 1,650 m (5,445 feet) above sea level, in the Foja Mountains of Western New Guinea.

This medium-sized, sooty-gray songbird has a short black bill, and each eye is surrounded by an orange-red patch of bare skin, below which hangs a pendant wattle.

It is these features that distinguish it from the more widespread Common Smoky Honeyeater.

In addition, the species is exceedingly quiet, rarely giving any vocalizations. The Wattled smoky honeyeater is a common and unwary inhabitant of the Foja uplands. The Honeyeater eats nectar and thus pollinates flowers, it also eats insects and thus helps to regulate their populations, food for larger animals

The 'Pinocchio' frog has a long, protuberance on its nose that points upwards when the male is calling but deflates and points downwards when he is less active

This frog (litoria sp. nov.) was also discovered in the Foja Mountains in 2008.

The frog has a long, Pinocchio-like protuberance on its nose that points upwards when the male is calling but deflates and points downwards when he is less active, represents a particularly distinctive find that scientists are interested in documenting and studying further.

Its discovery was a happy accident, after herpetologist Paul Oliver spotted it sitting on a bag of rice in the campsite.

The abundance and diversity of amphibians are indicators of an ecosystem's general health. Amphibians are often referred to as 'the canary in the coal mine.

Amphibians have permeable skin meaning that they all too easily absorb toxins or pollutants to which they are exposed, making them some of the first species to disappear from ecosystems declining in health. Their disappearance can be used as an early warning sign that something bad is happening to a given environment - including environments humans inhabit.

Meanwhile the ET salamander - bolitoglossa - found in Ecuador in 2009.

This genus of salamanders has fully webbed feet which help them climb high into the canopy of tropical forests; they also have no lungs and breathe instead through their skin.

So there you have it - a lot of new species making themselves known to man, just some of the 1,500 new ones out there - and some of the potentially 10million, maybe 50 million species out there in total.



source:dailymail

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Now THAT'S a fat cat! Puss named after lazy comic strip feline Garfield is biggest in the world at nearly 40lbs

He is now on low-calorie diet and is being encouraged to get active

By Emma Reynolds


Just days ago, a ginger Tom named Sponge Bob was labelled the world fattest cat, weighing in at an unbelievable 33lb.

Now another overweight puss has claimed the dubious honour, with New York-dwelling Garfield tipping the scales at nearly 40lbs.

Garfield loves nothing better than lying around and eating whatever food he can find - exactly like his lazy cartoon character namesake.


Podgy pet: Animal rescue centre worker Janet Ciminelli strains to lift chubby Garfield, who weighs almost 40llbs

Ball of fluff: The cat is still relatively healthy, but struggles to move and is at risk of devloping serious health problems in the future

The full-figured feline was brought into North Shore Animal League of America in Port Washington, Long Island, after his owner died.

Staff put him on a low-calorie diet, cutting out all dry food in an effort to emulate Sponge Bob's success in losing 3lbs just a few months.

They hope Garfield can lose around 2lbs a month, and are looking for a new owner who is committed to helping him become healthy and active.

North Shore veterinarian Gerard Leheney said: 'This is the fattest cat I have ever seen. My first reaction was astonishment.'

Garfield is relatively healthy but finds it difficult to move because his weight is putting strain on his hips.


Weight-watchers: Staff at the North Shore Animal League have put Garfield on a strict low-calorie diet and are trying to get him active


Cat camp: Shelter workers hope Garfield can shed 15 to 20lbs to improve his health

Time for change: Garfield has taken the title of world's fattest cat from 33lb Sponge Bob, who recently succeeded in losing 3lb

The shelter has warned that obesity in cats is extremely risky and can lead to diabetes, heart disease, joint, bone and ligament damage, high blood pressure and intolerance to heat.

Staff are trying to make 39.75lb Garfield more active by encouraging him to play with toys and a ball, and by picking him up and putting him down somewhere else, so he has to walk back to his original spot.

Garfield will soon be given over to a foster carer, while staff attempt to trace any next of kin to his former owner.

If no-one is found, he will be put up for adoption and given to a loving family who can spend time playing with him in their home, and keeping him on a low-calorie diet.



source:dailymail

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The weekend we remembered who we were: Tens of thousands descend on Buckingham Palace at climax of Diamond Jubilee

By Emma Reynolds


The Queen greets her subjects from the balcony of the Palace as she stands alongside Camilla, Charles, Prince William, Kate and Prince Harry

The Queen emerged on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to a deafening roar from tens of thousands of her loyal subjects who gathered below in euphoric mood for the final and most historic moment of the Diamond Jubilee today.

Flanked by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the scene truly captured the modern face of the royals, led stoically by the Queen. The only senior member of the Firm missing was Prince Philip, who is in hospital.

The enthusiasm of the crowds, again undaunted by the rain, can be in no small part attributed to the young royals who have done so much to help a new generation fall in love with Britain’s monarchy.


Awesome sight: The Red Arrows soar over Buckingham palace and the crowds gathered along the Mall


Red, white and blue: The Red Arrows have the crowd and the Royals alike in their thrall as they perform a dazzling fly-past over the Palace


Spectacular show: The planes mark the climax of the Diamond Jubilee weekend as they soar over the heads of the Royals stood on the balcony below


Gazing upwards: The family stare and gasp in delight as the Red Arrows zoom overhead


Flying high: The nation salutes their Diamond Queen as fly-past tops off a magical weekend


History in the making: This Lancaster bomber and five Spitfires look like a scene from the past but flew over the Palace today to mark the Queen's 60-year reign

What a view! This is what the royals saw today when they looked out from Buckingham Palace balcony

Tens of thousands of Jubilee well-wishers surged along The Mall led by police on horseback in an extraordinary scene as the four-day celebrations reached their crescendo this afternoon.

Waving flags, cheering and singing with their spirits undampened by the drizzle, huge crowds made their way to Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the historic moment the Queen made her balcony appearance.

If anybody was in any doubt that Britain’s love for the monarchy had waned, this national outpouring of pride would soon dispel that belief.


The Queen and her family - including William and Kate - were serenaded by a crowd of tens of thousands singing God Save the Queen


The masses converge on Buckingham Palace in a desperate bid to set their eyes on the Royal family


United in wonder: Patriotic visitors to the Mall cheer and whoop as the royals emerge


Holding back the wave: Tens of thousands pour into The Mall to watch the climax of a glorious weekend

Prince William stands beside his grandmother as Harry shares a joke with his sister-in-law

To the strains of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, led by a military brass band, the patriotic crowd gathered in anticipation before she and the rest of the Royal Family emerged for the military fly past and feu de joie gun salute.

In a nod to the typical British weather, the masses gave a rendition of Singing In The Rain and shouts of 'We want the Queen' rang out.

And when she appeared, the Queen broke into a smile - visibly pleased - and waved as the thousands of people roared with applause, some breaking into impromptu renditions of the National Anthem.

It is only the second time that a feu de joie has been fired in Her Majesty's reign. The first was following the Queen's Birthday Parade in 2006 in celebration of her 80th birthday.


Not bad for a rainy Tuesday! Hundreds of thousands pack the Mall to see the royals and await the spectacle of a magnificent air show

Long may she rain: Crowds shrug off the drizzle armed with a flotilla of umbrellas as they crane for a look at the monarch

They then gave three cheers, with the words 'hip hip hooray' echoing down the Mall.

Next came the flypast and gun salute, but missing from the Queen's side was the Duke of Edinburgh, who she famously described as her 'strength and stay' on her golden wedding anniversary in 1997.

His absence is likely to give the day a bittersweet taste for the monarch, who carried out a series of Diamond Jubilee engagements without her consort.

As a rousing rendition of ‘God Save The Queen’ rang out the fly-past began, despite worries it may be halted by rain.

A Dakota flanked by two King Airs, a Lancaster, four Spitfires and a Hurricane from the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight hurtled through the skies, met with a broad smile of approval by the monarch.

Memorable day: People pour along The Mall and in through the back entrance to get a look at the family on the balcony

Next, the Red Arrows made a spectacular appearance tearing through the skies leaving trails of red, white and blue smoke behind.

The Diamond-nine formation, in tribute to the 60-year-reign, was greeted with rapturous applause by the throng of well-wishers outside the palace.

Finally the shots of the Feu de Joie, a celebratory cascade of rifle fire from Buckingham Palace Guard of Honour, the 1st Battalion Irish Guard, rang out followed by a rousing three cheers from the troops.

The crowd showed their approval with a round of three cheers, marking a spectacular end to a truly historic Diamond Jubilee weekend.

Earlier, the Queen's Guard had awaited her arrival at the palace forecourt in the 1902 State Landau carriage, which swept in to rapturous applause and the band of the Irish Guards playing the national anthem.


Incredible scenes: Hordes of loyal subjects gathered to honour the Queen on the final day of the bank holiday weekend


Pushing towards the Palace: The immense crowds filled The Mall as they raced to get a glimpse of Her Majesty on the historic occasion

Encircled: A thrilled mass of tourists and Londoners screamed with excitement as they united in joy at seeing the royals

The first and second divisions of the Sovereign's Escort had led the way ahead of the Queen's carriage, and as each section of the crowd saw the monarch, screams and shouts went up.

The Queen sat next to Camilla and opposite was Charles, with all three royals waving and smiling at the spectators.

In a separate carriage, William and Kate also acknowledged the crowds and appeared to be enjoying the moment, with Harry sitting in front of them, chatting happily.

The procession had travelled down Whitehall past Downing Street and the Cenotaph and into Trafalgar Square, packed with well-wishers. When they reached The Mall, thousands cheered them as the royals waved.

Overhead were huge Union flags and the crowds stretched back into St James's Park waving their smaller Union flags and shouting.

The procession finally reached the Palace forecourt and disappeared out of view through an arch into the quadrangle.


Diamond Queen: Onlookers expressed an outpouring of love for the monarch with banners and flags



source:dailymail

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