Royal squeals of approval could be heard in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres.
Some 1,000 school children from across Kirklees filled the streets with songs old and new in celebration of the Queen’s official 90th birthday.
While 380 pupils from local primary and secondary schools paved the Piazza in Huddersfield town centre, Dewsbury Town Hall was packed with 600 youngsters bursting into song.
The choirs in Huddersfield were joined by Kirklees Music School as they sang the National Anthem, crooned wartime hits and toasted Her Majesty with a rendition of Happy Birthday.
Waving their Union Jacks, the pint-sized performers impressed shoppers with their versions of Pack Up Your Troubles, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Take That’s Shine and school disco classic Reach, by S Club 7.
Recently appointed Mayor of Kirklees Clr Jim Dodds was also to hand to address the children at the Piazza, saying “we’ve made a special day for the Queen even more special”.
Speaking afterwards, he said: “Events like this are what it’s all about when we talk about what it means to be British.
“These children are our future and it’s great to see them waving their flags.”
Clr Dodds also handed out prizes to the pupils following a competition across all the schools.
Students were asked to draw a picture of the Queen or write about what being British means to them, with winning entries to be displayed in Huddersfield Library.
The choirs were led by Kirklees Music School’s Thom Meredith, who said: “We have been doing so much singing with the schools, and when all of them get together they’re so positive and get really stuck in.”
Schools who took part in the mass singalong included Royds Hall, Holmfirth High, Reinwood Juniors and South Crosland Juniors.
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Grange Moor Primary contributed the most voices, with 100 pupils joining in with the party.
Marsden Infants & Nursery headteacher Frances Swallow, who brought 38 pupils, said: “The children found the wartime songs difficult but they have loved taking part.”
