Wells is heading for a summer of celebration as the preparations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee gather pace.

Instead of a single day, there are plans for a series of parties, parades and concerts.

The party will start on June 4 with a big celebration on Cathedral Green.

Away from royal celebrations we can also look forward to not one, but two Freedom of the City presentations in Olympic year.

Next week a major promotional drive that should see visitors flocking to the city and promises to raise tens of thousands of pounds exclusively for the benefit of local charities is being revealed. The party on June 4 on Cathedral Green has been organised on behalf of the city council by Wells Action and this will replace the annual May Fair on the Green for 2012.

David Anderson from Wells Action said: "We have to hold a May Fair in June this year, moving it to the early summer to celebrate the diamond jubilee.

"For a city like Wells which has such strong royal connections it seems appropriate to make sure we have biggest and best party in Somerset.

"We'll have all the popular attractions we have at May Fair and more, with the advantage of being later in the year, so the weather could be better than usual.

"While lots of people will be holding street parties, we think this event will bring the whole city together."

Wells Lions will still hold their May Fair on May Bank Holiday Monday.

The change of dates for the Cathedral Green show also helps Wells Action make preparations for the possible removal of May Day from the bank holiday calendar in 2013.

Four days later on June 8 HMS Somerset will mark the jubilee by returning to the city and exercising its Freedom Rights.

Members of the crew will be parading though the centre for the first time since 2006 and only the second time since the Type 23 frigate was granted the Freedom of the City of Wells in May 2004.

Two days later on June 10 the first of a special season of jubilee concerts kicks off on the Recreation Ground with Congresbury Silver Band.

The concert season will last until July 30, and will include many favourite bands including Sherborne, Wells City Band and Midsomer Norton and Radstock, along with newcomers Wincanton and, in a departure from tradition, the acclaimed Terry Hill Big Band.

Preparations go on for the presentation of the Freedom of the City to two Olympians, with at least one ceremony likely to take place in July.

The summer of fun will continue through August with a major tourism and business led initiative which will be launched on Tuesday next week.

While the wraps are still on and participants have been sworn to secrecy, the summer-long event promises to raise the profile of the city around the UK and raise thousands of pounds, which will be for the exclusive use of local groups and charities.

On September 9 the city's other military Freemen, The Rifles, will return to exercise their Freedom and will sound the retreat on the Cathedral Green.

And the celebrations will be wrapped up with a bang on September 13 for the Night On The Town.

Anyone who would like to be involved with events on the Cathedral Green can get in touch with Wells Action through the Wells Journal by email at wells@midsomnews.co.uk.

Street party organisers are being urged to get their plans together by Mendip District Council, see page 14.