STREET parties and celebrations are being planned across the Okehampton and Hatherleigh area to celebrate the royal wedding, following Prime Minister David Cameron's call on the nation to 'get out and have fun'.

Red tape has been cut, with the normal six-week road closure notice period slackened in an effort to assist those who wish to organise an event on Friday, April 29, the day of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

There will be parties and events at Okehampton Rugby Club, Hatherleigh Community Centre, South Zeal, Northlew, Black Torrington and Jacobstowe.

Okehampton Rugby Club will celebrate in a regal manner, with a formal lunch, champagne and strawberries at the clubhouse. The wedding itself will be shown on a big-screen television, and all attendees are asked to dress smartly for the big day.

Each guest will also receive a wedding cup cake along with their drinks and meal.

Mary Barkwell, one of the organisers, said: 'We're all really excited about the wedding.

It's going to be a lovely day, with everyone dressing up and looking lovely — the boys as well as the girls!

'We've got pews and asked our guests to dress formally, dresses and hats, so it'll be like going to a real wedding. It should feel like you're actually there!'

Tickets cost £15 — for further information contact Mary on 01837 53077 or Angela on 52894.

Hatherleigh Community Centre will celebrate the day the old-fashioned way, with a vintage family fete.

There will be lots of fayre games, including tug-o'-war, riding vintage bicycles or even throwing wet sponges at friends in the stocks.

Refreshments will be available. Prizes will be on offer to those who come in the best vintage fancy dress.

Jo Pullin, from Hatherleigh Pre-School Committee, said: 'We're keeping our fingers crossed for fine weather, but come rain or shine the afternoon will be packed with fun and games for everyone.

'The idea of a vintage fete has really captured people's imagination and there is quite a buzz about it already.'

Proceedings start at 2pm, with entry to the vintage fete costing £1. All proceeds are going to Help for Heroes and Hatherleigh Pre-School.

South Tawton Parish Council is also celebrating the traditional way, hosting a royal tea party at the lower end of South Zeal main street.

Involving all the family, there will be a 1930s-style afternoon of tea and musical entertainment, with a royal wedding hat competition open to all.

Keeping to the British theme of tea, Northlew will celebrate with a sit down tea in the village square at 3pm. It will be a bring and share tea, with all contributions to the church room by noon. There will be a fancy dress competition for under 18s, and all children will receive a commemorative mug.

Commemorative mugs will also be given to the children of the Black Torrington Parish as part of the village's street party on Broad Street. Those attending are asked to bring their own chairs, cutlery and crockery, also embarking on the 'bring and share' format.

Jacobstowe are having a street-party-style celebration of their own from 4pm in the church car park. A bouncy castle, bonfire and fireworks are planned.

The Jacobstowe event is also 'bring and share', with one plate of savoury and one plate of sweet food. Patriotism is the theme for Jacobstowe's fancy dress competition.

Prime Minister David Cameron has been promoting street celebrations and it has been estimated that two million people will take part in events to mark the royal wedding.

Mr Cameron said: 'The truth is that this is a great chance for communities to come together and celebrate. So go on, bring out the bunting and let's make this a day to remember —for everyone.'

If you fancy organising your own event, Devon County Council will do what it can to help.

A spokesperson said: 'We are working hard to help residents hold street parties to mark the royal wedding on April 29, including waiving the usual road closure fee and working with applicants to ensure permission is granted.'

Royal Wedding Street Party Application Packs can be downloaded from the Devon County Council website at http://www.devon.gov.uk/eventaffectinghighway">www.devon.gov.uk/eventaffectinghighway