It will be the hottest ticket of the year - but today is the last day you can apply for it.

The gold-edged invitation money cannot buy is to the most select party at the most exclusive address in the UK.

To apply to get on the guest list, all you need is to have been born on the right day - February 6, 1952.

As part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Queen is hosting a garden party for people born on the day she ascended the throne.

Only those with the right birthday - and a birth certificate to prove it - need apply.

One Accession Day party will be held at Buckingham Palace on July 9 for residents of England and Wales.

A second one will be held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, for people from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A total of 3,500 places are available for the two parties.

Applications are being handled by lord lieutenants' offices around the UK.

Lieutenant-Colonel Tony Feek, clerk to the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, said records showed there were approximately 4,000 recorded births in Great Britain on February 6, 1952.

He said: "We have no idea at this stage how many applications to expect or how many places will be allocated to East Sussex.

"Our job is to take the applications and pass them on to the Lord Chamberlain's department who will look at the numbers for each county and allocate places."

People born in Commonwealth countries who are now resident in the UK may also apply.

Each guest may bring one adult companion on the big day.

Applications should be made in writing to Lt-Col Tony Feek, Clerk to the Lieutenancy, Pelham House, St Andrew's Lane, Lewes BN7 1UN by today.

Letters must include a copy of the birth certificate.