THE folk of Jubilee Court in Leyland are taking a trip down memory lane as they get ready for a joint knees-up -- their silver anniversary and the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Three of the residents have been looking back at their 25 years in the flats and sheltered accommodation complex in West Paddock, Leyland, which opened during the merriment surrounding the 1977 Silver Jubilee. They are now preparing to hang up decorations for the second time around.

May Thomas, 88, is no stranger to royalty -- she celebrated her diamond wedding anniversary with her late husband Wilfred, in Jubilee Court, seven years ago. May recalled the day began with a special delivery from the postman. "The postman gave us the envelope -- it was a card wishing us both happiness from the Queen," said May. "He had to ring up someone to confirm he had delivered it."

May moved to Jubilee Court in 1977 with Wilfred, from Thurston Road in the town after their two sons Ivor and Keith had grown up and fled the nest.

She remembers Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II getting off the plane and being met by Winston Churchill before the Coronation. "She looked beautiful," May said. "Back then we didn't have television so we watched it at the cinema and heard it on the radio. The Silver Jubilee was a bit different. I couldn't take my eyes off the television I remember the street parties and the bunting."

May has had some great times in Jubilee Court -- owned by New Progress Housing, in King Street, Leyland -- and is looking forward to a party this year along with her neighbours Elsie Calderbank, who will celebrate her 95th birthday in a few weeks time, and Doris Beaty.

Former singer Elsie, who lived in Dunkirk Lane for 40 years before moving to the centre, has entertained residents with her renditions of war time classics and Gilbert and Sullivan numbers.

Elsie said: "We have had some great times singing old ballads and performing dialect poetry -- my mother was a tiller girl and I loved performing too."

Doris, 85, has also lived at Jubilee Court since it opened and is anticipating a reunion with many former staff. She said: "I remember the royal wedding in 1981 and then the death of Princess Diana in 1997 -- it is the friendliness of the people here that I value the most."