HILLINGDON mayors past and present have pledged to attend 138 parties marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee planned for the bank holiday weekend.

Newly installed mayor, Councillor Michael Markham, will head a team of deputy mayor, Councillor Allan Kauffman, and past mayors Mary O'Connor (2011-12), David Yarrow (2010-2011), Shirley Harper O'Neill (2009-10), Brian Crowe (2008-09), Catherine Dann (2007-08 and 2001-02), and Josephine Barrett (2002-03).

Between them, they will be visiting street festivities, garden parties and celebrations at schools, libraries and community groups going on around Hillingdon over the four days from Saturday.

Mr Markham will be zig-zagging across the borough and aims to attend about 60 of these events himself, with his wife Rosemary, the mayoress.

"I thought it important for the mayoral team to visit all the Jubilee events we know about to thank Hillingdon's residents for celebrating Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee," he said.

"With over 130 events to attend it's going to be a very busy weekend, but we look forward to sharing this unique occasion with residents.

"In addition, there are dozens of other Jubilee events being in held in Hillingdon before and after the bank holiday weekend and I hope to attend them all."