Boxes and bunting at an arts centre are being given a regal look in time for the Queen’s birthday.

Artists have been busy turning everything red, white and blue – with a hint of gold and jewels – at St Andrew’s Arts Centre, Gravesend, in the lead up to Gravesham in Bloom and celebrations for the Queen’s milestone.

The boxes outside the centre in Royal Pier Road will soon be filled with colourful flowers and aromatic herbs as part of a project called Queen of Arts. Local businesses are invited to sponsor them.

Gravesham Arts chairman Claire Brown said: “The idea is that people can take the herbs home and cook with them.

“We did it last year and never thought people would, but people came along with scissors and little bags. It was wonderful to see.”

The next event will be on Sunday (April 17) at 11am when the group will be repainting the display boards used for exhibitions, rehearsals, meetings and small concerts.

Any businesses interested in sponsoring a flower box can call Claire Brown on 07805 477973.

Preparations are also under way to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday at St Botolph’s Church in Northfleet.

Music, games and fun for all ages is promised from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday, April 23.

Tickets cost £2 for adults and £1 for children, with a tasty buffet included in the price.

Gravesham council is also organising some events.

On the evening of Thursday, April 21, the Queen will light a beacon in Windsor. Hundreds of districts, including Gravesham, will follow suit.

Mayor of Gravesham Mick Wenban will light our borough’s beacon on Windmill Hill at 7.30pm.

On Saturday, April 23, there will also be a 90 Years of Transport day of family entertainment in the town centre.

The streets will be filled with classic and vintage modes of transport going back nine decades.

Earlier in the year, more than 100 volunteers collected 200 bags of rubbish from around the borough for Clean for the Queen, and managed to fill a skip. More clean-up days are being planned.

The Queen’s birthday is on April 21 and her official birthday takes place in June, when more celebrations will take place.