HUNDREDS of Scouts will celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with the lighting of a beacon on Clent Hills.

Beacons will light up the night sky across the nation in a timed sequence launched by Queen Elizabeth herself, who will set the first alight at Windsor Castle at 10pm on jubilee day, Monday June 4.

Halesowen District Scouts assistant divisional commissioner John Emery said the event will be co-ordinated from London with the Clent beacon, near the Four Stones, being lit at exactly 10.24pm.

It is being made by Scouts from wood donated by the National Trust and will stand 12ft high and 8ft wide.

Up to 400 Cubs, Beavers, Scouts and Explorers from across the Halesowen district and West Mercia are expected and members of the public are also invited to the event.

“The more the merrier,” said Mr Emery, who advised people to start arriving from 8pm to get parked in time.

There will be refreshments, including hot dogs and burgers, and Scout-run side shows, like tombolas throughout the night.

The beacon is expected to keep burning until about midnight and Mr Emery is hoping a civic dignatory will perform the lighting ceremony.

There will also be a beacon lit on Rowley Hills.