COMMUNITIES planning to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with a street party are being reminded they have until Friday April 20 to submit an application.

More than 50 applications have so far been received by Devon County Council for the free service it is offering to help people who want to hold street parties over the extended Bank Holiday from June 2 to 5.

The notice period for closures has been reduced from three months to six weeks, especially for the occasion, but people only have a few weeks left to apply.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: 'What better way to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee than with a street party? We've been encouraged to see so many applications already from people wanting to mark the occasion.

'The county council is doing all it can to make it as easy as possible for people to hold an event in their community but there's not long to go now and people must get their applications to us before the deadline of April 20.'

Anyone planning a street party can apply to the council for a temporary Traffic Regulation Order to close a minor road, free of charge. Organisers will only face a charge if No Waiting cones are needed. Street party organisers simply have to fill out an application form and a declaration.

If the street party is planned for more than a minor road then the special events procedure must be followed. For more information call 0845 1551004, email [email protected]">[email protected] or visit http://www.devon.gov.uk/ttrostreetparty">www.devon.gov.uk/ttrostreetparty where you can also download an application form.

Completed application forms should be sent to Devon County Council, Highway Management, PO Box 494, Newton Abbot, TQ12 9GL or email [email protected]">[email protected]