SO far five Forest communities have applied for street closures to celebrate the Royal Wedding on Friday, April 29.

Longhope, Beachley, Clearwell, Coleford and Pillowell folk will be hanging out the bunting and partying in traffic-free conditions on the big day.

There are unlikely to be any more Forest requests, says Gloucestershire County Council, which has logged a total of 85 road closures across the county for street parties.

Only three applications were refused, one by police on safety grounds and two others because there was no alternative route for emergency vehicles.

In total, there will be 22 road closures in Cheltenham and Stroud, 21 in the Cotswolds, eight in Gloucester, seven in Tewkesbury and the five in the Forest of Dean.

In common with many local authorities the county council waived the £70 fee normally charged for shutting down streets.

Cllr Stan Waddington, Gloucestershire County Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "I am absolutely delighted that so many individuals and groups have come forward to request a road closure for a street party.

"I don't know what kind of response other counties have had but we surely must be among the highest in the country for the number of road closures taking place for this very reason.

"It really shows that community spirit is alive and well in Gloucestershire and I for one will be out with everyone else celebrating this momentous occasion."