Queen to mark Blue Peter birthday

The Queen said her gold Blue Peter badge was "splendid"

The Queen is to mark the 50th birthday of BBC children's show Blue Peter with a tea party at Buckingham Palace.

During the event, four viewers will be given a special jubilee edition of the programme's highest award - the Gold Blue Peter Badge.

The Queen is also a gold badge holder, having been presented with the honour to mark her own golden jubilee.

Blue Peter editor Tim Levell said he was "absolutely delighted" that the Queen was recognising the anniversary.

"Our four lucky Blue Peter viewers will have the most special day of their lives - and we hope the experience will be enjoyed by all the children watching at home," he added.

The tea party will be filmed and shown in a special extended edition of Blue Peter on the day of the show's anniversary, 16 October.

It will be attended by the show's current presenters as well as key production staff and a selection of the longest-serving presenters from each of the show's five decades.

Presenter Joel Defries will be seen drumming live with McFly and other presenters will launch a firework display across BBC Television Centre.

The Queen was presented with a Blue Peter badge during a day-long tour of UK broadcasters in November 2001.

Presenter Simon Thomas joked that it might help her get into some attractions for free, including the Tower of London.

"She laughed, which was good because I thought, if the joke goes wrong, I'll look very silly," he said afterwards.