RESIDENTS in four roads in the Basingstoke area are set to be in a real party mood after getting the go-ahead to hold a Golden Jubilee street celebration.

Households in the borough will be trimming the hedges, emptying the bins and finishing the decorating in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Queen's ascension to the throne on Monday, June 3.

Four streets in the Basingstoke area have been granted road closure licences for the event - but for those who have not yet applied for an official street party licence, it is now too late.

Chineham Park Court in Popley became the latest street to get involved, with all but three of the 16 households agreeing to take part.

Residents have paid £115 to cover the cost of insurance, by splashing out up to £10 for a ticket. Organisers Emma Parratt, 24, Jason Brazier, 33, and Mandy Sherwood, 32, have been planning the festivities for two months.

"We wanted to give the children a memory that they would remember for a long time," said Emma, 24, who has two children aged eight and three but was not even born in 1977.

She added: "The publicity for the event has been a bit overshadowed by the World Cup which begins the same weekend.

"It has also been difficult finding anything which commemorates the jubilee, including mugs, whereas with the World Cup it is a different story."

Jason Brazier, who has three children, said: "I remember the Silver Jubilee in 1977 when I was a kid, and this street party is basically for the kids.

"I am a bit of a patriot. I think the Queen's done a marvellous job, and it's good to have something positive to think about in these times of grim news."

While the adults compare notes on previous years, children can chuck themselves around on a bouncy castle. If the BBQ and buffet seem a tad sedate, there is a 10-ft twister board to keep party-goers amused between 9am and 9pm.

Other streets, which will be closed to hold parties on the big day, include Portway Place in Winklebury, Silchester Road in Little London, and Mill Lane in Hartley Wespall.