Beacons lit for Queen Elizabeth's jubilee.

2012-06-04 16

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

The town of Blenheim, New Zealand, on Monday (June 4) lit a beacon to mark the 60th anniversary of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

The beacon is one of about 4000 around Britain and the Commonwealth being lit to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

About 60 people gathered before dawn to watch the beacon being lit.

The monarch ascended the throne on the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952 and was formally crowned the following year.

Her 25th and 50th years as sovereign were also marked by nationwide jubilee celebrations.