Press Release: Peter Orton and the Children's Party at the Palace.

Buckingham Palace and the BBC have released details of the Children's Party at the Palace which will honour the finest characters from British children's literature in a ground breaking event for children on June 25 to mark the Queen's 80th Birthday. Sir Robin Janvrin, the Queen's Private Secretary, announced the event at a press conference on February 1, explaining that the Children's Party at the Palace was an idea presented by HIT Entertainment founder and former executive chairman Peter Orton.

The idea for the event came after a visit by the Her Majesty the Queen to HIT's London offices which had won two Queen's Export Awards. In 2005, Orton was asked to consider ideas for a large scale children's event which could be linked to the Queen's 80th Birthday Celebrations and the Children's Party at the Palace is the result. Rights' holders are traditionally very protective of their characters and Orton has used his contacts and influence in the media world to get the agreement of major children's labels to share the stage together which will make the occasion unique.

Characters including Tracy Beaker, Paddington Bear, Bob the Builder, Mowgli, Winnie the Pooh, Postman Pat and The Gruffalo will be joining children in the garden. Sophie Dahl, granddaughter of Roald Dahl, will appear on stage to introduce a specially written show for all the nation to watch live on the BBC. Mary Poppins, the White Rabbit and Captain Hook will also be starring along with the Royal Ballet who will create a Beatrix Potter vignette.

All children living in the UK aged between 4 and 14 were invited to apply for tickets to the event through a national ballot run by the BBC 2,000 children and 1,000 adults (parents/grandparents or guardians) were then selected to attend the party. Millions of applications were received for the tickets.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "The 'Children's Party at the Palace' will be a celebration of British children's literature, both traditional and modern, which we hope will encourage children to read and enjoy books. The day will also focus on the family and the key role that grandparents and parents, relatives and friends can play in shaping a child's love of books through the favourite stories that families pass down through generations. We hope this day will encourage children to explore new worlds through the characters and their stories."

"The event will bring together the British literary community in a way that benefits children from all backgrounds and cultures and focuses the nation's attention on British children's literature and the magic of books." (www.royal.gov.uk)

Major publishers and rights holders are lending their support to the event and working closely with the BBC and Buckingham Palace to create a magical guest experience and show.

Sainsbury's and Jamie Oliver have agreed to create a special version of the traditional British picnic tea for all those invited to the Palace.

Rights holders and publishing companies will also be donating books to a "book pool". "Children's Party at the Palace" will be working with the National Literacy Trust to distribute these books to children living in disadvantaged areas who would most benefit from this gift of a book to own.

The day will celebrate both traditional and modern literature, and it has been warmly welcomed by the likes of J K Rowling who said: "Harry and I are very much looking forward to attending", Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman, Quentin Blake, Michael Morpurgo and the current Children's Laureate Jacqueline Wilson. Read more about the Children's Party At the Palace.

Children's literary characters at the launch of the Children's Party at the Palace that will mark the Queen's 80th birthday on June 25