A grandmother and retired hospital worker has recalled the street parties that took over the nation during the Queen’s coronation in 1953.

At the time Chessington-born Maggie Garner was an eleven-year-old girl who played in the street with her siblings while her neighbours congregated in her living room to watch the grand coronation live on television.

Maggie Garner, 71, of Hemsby Road, said: "My parents were the only ones who had a television so all the neighbours gathered around the telly to watch it.

"We couldn’t even get round to seeing the telly – all the neighbours were there.

"There was more of a community feel back then – we could leave our front doors open without worrying about anything."

Mrs Garner lived in Gilderf Road, Chessington, at the time of the coronation with her family who bought the home in 1935.

She recalled getting a special coronation mug and her brother singing Golden Coach at the street party organised by neighbours.

The former Epsom hospital worker said: "It was a tiny street party; it was a very small neighbourhood.

"We got fish paste sandwiches – It was a nice thing to have but I doubt you could buy it now. People have pate now.

"Even though it was after the war and rationing had stopped there was not a lot of money around.

"Life was very simple back then – we played, danced and were thrilled to get a bit of jelly and ice cream."

After 60 years Mrs Garner celebrated the diamond jubilee with her three children and six grandchildren who range from four years old to 17.

Keeping with her partying tradition she attended three different street parties over the weekend, including one at Lynton Close in Chessington where her son and daughter-in-law reside. Mrs Garner said: "I loved being with my family – I even did a bit of jiving with my younger son.

"It was lovely – we had lots of champagne and there was a massive barbeque.

"It was such a relaxing weekend without any worries of the world."