QUEEN Elizabeth may have celebrated her 80th birthday last month, but you have the chance to mark her big year at a massive party in Ipswich.The town's biggest birthday party, to be held in Christchurch Park, will give everyone the chance to join in the celebrations.

QUEEN Elizabeth may have celebrated her 80th birthday last month, but you have the chance to mark her big year at a massive party in Ipswich.

The town's biggest birthday party, to be held in Christchurch Park, will give everyone the chance to join in the celebrations.

The party will happen on July 30 and people can either take their own picnic or buy food al fresco from Fonnereau's coffee shop.

And of course a birthday party isn't a birthday party without the cards. The Evening Star has linked up with Ipswich council to organise a competition for youngsters to design an 80th birthday card for the Queen.

The winners and runners up will be guests of honour at the birthday party in the park alongside new Ipswich mayor Henry Davies. Their entries will be displayed at Christchurch Mansion.

Mr Davies is to judge the entries alongside Star editor Nigel Pickover, who felt the competition gave youngsters the opportunity to share in the birthday celebrations.

Mr Pickover said: “The Queen's 80th birthday has been a cause for celebration across the Commonwealth. We are delighted to support this competition and I'm looking forward to seeing a flood of entries from talented youngsters.”

The mayor is also looking forward to the event. He said: “The whole town will want to celebrate Her Majesty's 80th birthday. We are looking forward to a wonderful day in the park.”

The party will last from late morning until mid-afternoon and will include funfair rides for small children, traditional games, and a band.

The council is hoping the weather is as kind for it as it was for the 60th anniversary party to mark the end of the second world war in the park last summer.

The closing date for entries to the competition is first post on July 3, they should be sent to: Birthday Card competition, Mayor's Secretary, Civic Centre, Civic Drive, Ipswich, IP1 2EE. Alternatively they can be posted in special collection boxes which will be set up at Christchurch Mansion and in the new One-Ipswich Centre on the ground floor of the Town Hall. The collection points will be in place until the end of June.

There are three age groups, for pre-school, primary school, and secondary school pupils. The upper age limit for entries is 16.