Painting the town red, white and blue

The Diamond Jubilee weekend is almost upon us and one can't help noticing the amazing number of union flags and bunting adorning the capital. You can't move in the West End now without hearing the flutter of red, white and blue but, away from London's centre, plenty of communities are getting ready to party too.

The most patriotic scene I've come across so far is of a house in Teddington in South West London where, last weekend, the owners decided it was the perfect time to redecorate. Forget the whitewash though, this was a much more challenging project. Using gaffa tape to ensure the lines of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick were perfect, the front of this suburban terrace was soon transformed into a striking union flag.

Let us know how you're planning to celebrate. Email us at jubilee@itv.com

The house isn't far from where I live so, when I heard about it, I couldn't resist popping by this week. There I met owner Vivienne Tate, who explained the patriotic gesture.

"The front of the house really needed decorating," she said, "so we thought we'd do it for the Jubilee and the Olympics... it also means it'll make us redecorate it properly when it's all over!"

The "Union Jack House" - as it's now being referred to - is on just one of the many roads in the capital where residents are planning to hold street parties over the long weekend. The London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames says it's in the running for the most street parties in London, having received 175 requests for street closures - more than double the number held for the Royal Wedding last year.

It's going to be a fabulous four days and the atmosphere is already buzzing. Enjoy!