OUT came the flags and up went the red, white and blue bunting as Bolton seized the oncein- a-generation chance to celebrate the marriage of the future King and Queen of Britain.

The pomp and grandeur of the Royal Wedding was marked with hundreds of events across the town, from small parties in homes and pubs to official street parties.

More than 100 people packed into Portugal Street in The Haulgh for the celebrations.

Doreen Bradburn, aged 71, helped organise the event with the help of neighbours Diane Johnson and Joyce Smedley.

She said it was the third street party that she had seen in her 30 years living there. Doreen added: “It is a bit of a tradition to have street parties here.

“It is a beautiful looking street and it looks very nostalgic with all the bunting.

“There was a sign on my gate this morning saying, ‘Come in to watch the wedding’.

“We were all gathered round watching, and Kate looked absolutely beautiful.”

Elderly residents at Grange Lee, in Grange Road, Deane, held a special day of celebrations. They gathered to watch the wedding before enjoying a special “royal meal”.

The 24 residents chose the menu for their special meal and enjoyed prawn cocktail, roast lamb, apple pie and a drop of sherry. Everyone wore hats and the men wore Union Jack bow ties.

They waved Union flags and decorated the building with bunting.

Activities co-ordinator Hayley West said: “Everyone has had a brilliant time, waving their flags and getting into the spirit of the day.

“Everyone was singing along. A lot of our residents knew all the words to the hymns from church and everyone sung the national anthem.”

The Rivington Field Street party, in Angelbank, Horwich, attracted 85 royal enthusiasts.

Organised by residents Zadee Chambers-Swords and Blanka Criddle, the street had a bouncy castle, face painting and a big royal buffet.

People watched the wedding at their own homes in the morning before hitting the street party in the afternoon. Mrs Chambers-Swords, aged 34, said: “We’ve never done anything like this before.

“We applied for a licence right at the last minute and it’s been brilliant. “There’s only 62 houses on the street, so for 85 people to join in is really good.”

Around 50 neighbours came together for a street party in Chantry Close, Daisy Hill.

Youngsters played traditional games while the grown-ups toasted the royal couple.

Resident Craig Harris, aged 39, said: “It’s brought the street together.

“There are people who have been living side by side for 12 or 13 years without really speaking to each other and now we’re all out in the street having a drink and a chat — it’s great.”

Around 100 residents in Booth Road, Little Lever, held their own celebration in the village.

Neighbours put up banners and dressed in red, white and blue and children enjoyed a bouncy castle, cup cake stall, and traditional English games such as the egg and spoon race.