A SPECTACULAR flotilla will proudly sail through Worcester to mark the Queen's official 90th birthday this June.

More than 100 brightly decorated boats of all shapes and sizes will set off from South Quay at around 1pm on Saturday, June 11, and glide towards Diglis before returning to North Quay near Worcester Rowing Club.

To accompany their journey, a host of bands and dance groups will line the river banks providing music and entertainment for visitors but organisers want more to join in.

Olympic rower Zac Purchase MBE, who went to school in Worcester and scooped a gold medal in Beijing and silver at the 2012 London contest, will launch the flotilla.

The event marks the end of a week-long programme of events to celebrate the monarch's birthday in Worcestershire.

Chris Jaeger, who is organising the flotilla in partnership with Worcester Rowing Club, said: "It is going to be really exciting.

"We have got lots of things happening during the week but we were lacking a spectacular event on the day itself. We were scratching our heads thinking what we could do.

"I always think the river gets a bit under-used in Worcester. I just thought - wouldn't it be great? And once we found that it was going to be do-able it has become a really exciting project."

Dragon boats, rowing boats of all sizes, at least one leisure cruiser and narrow boats will all take part in the event, and Mr Jaeger said between 90 and 150 vessels will assemble on the day.

Meanwhile the Elgar School of Music Folk Ensemble, Malvern Hills District Brass Band and morris dancers from Worcester are all on board to provide entertainment along the banks of the Severn.

However, more performers are needed to create a real festival atmosphere and Mr Jaeger urged any music, dance or performance groups to get in touch.

"We hope to get big crowds," said Mr Jaeger, who is also chief executive of Worcester Live!

He continued: "I'm hoping it will be dry and sunny. I'm hoping there will be a carnival atmosphere and lots of crowds to cheer it on.

"It will set off down the river and come back up in its full glory. The bands are going to start at about noon but the launch of the flotilla is planed for 1pm and could last an hour and a half.

"What we would like is if any more bands or music or dancers or anything that would like to get involved, we would love to hear from them. The more the merrier along the river bank!"

If you would like to get involved with the entertainment along the river bank, e-mail Mr Jaeger at chris@worcesterlive.co.uk