EAST Lancashire is set for royal wedding fever with 26 street parties planned so far.

Residents have applied to councils to close the streets, with many more in the pipeline for the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29.

The Bank Holiday will see some town centres come to a standstill, and the area’s leaders have vowed not to let red tape stand in the way of the celebrations.

It comes as excitement builds for a visit to East Lancashire by the couple less than a month before their big day.

Last night, Hyndburn was looking like East Lancashire’s most patriotic borough, with 13 parties involving road closures already requested.

The council, which will shut four town-centre streets for the occasion, is branding the day ‘one big street party’ with a fireworks display and a fair.

Ribble Valley has received seven applications so far, Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle have two each, while Burnley Council said it had logged just one.

Rossendale Borough Council, which is offering cash grants to cover the costs of organising street parties, has yet to receive a formal request.

In Accrington town centre Warner Street, Bank Street, Cannon Street and Church Street will close, while the pedestrianised Broadway will also be used.

Hyndburn Borough Council leader Peter Britcliffe said all civic buildings would be covered in bunting.

He said: “We will be celebrating the royal wedding with real enthusiasm in Hyndburn.

"I am not surprised that there are going to be more parties here in Hyndburn than elsewhere.

"This will be the best place in the county to celebrate 'the best of British'."

Almost every town and village is involved in Hyndburn with parties set to take place in Oswaldtwistle, Clayton-le-Moors, Altham and Huncoat as well as Accrington.

Warner Street shopkeeper Collette McCormack said a two-day street party on Saturday and Sunday was taking place at the town centre street.

She said: "People agreeing to have the party, and pitching in to help organise it, are showing community spirit and it is refreshing in this day and age".

Jacqueline Cronshaw, 42, of Garfield Street, Accrington, where a party is planned, said: “I have lived here my whole life and it has always been like this.”

Another street planning a party is Grizedale Road, Clayton-le-Moors.

Resident Louise Smith, 38, of she said: “We have only lived here since last summer but we already know this is a friendly street.

“When we were talking to our neighbours everybody said wouldn't it be a good idea.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said he would be celebrating the ‘national coming together’ in his home village of Pendleton and urged others to join in.

He said: “There is a whole generation of people who have never had a street party and I am delighted that the Ribble Valley is ahead of the game.

"It shows the tremendous community spirit that exists in the borough."

Whalley councillor Joyce Holgate is hoping 90 people will come to a party she is organising in Abbeyfields.

She said: "There is a lot of depressing news at the moment and celebrating the wedding of a young couple will help to lift people's spirits."

Among those with permission from council chiefs for a street party are residents in Cherry Close, Audley, Blackburn.

Lavinia McAllister, 47, said her sister-in-law Jacqueline Knott was the main organiser.

Neighbours plan a bouncy castle, face painting for kids and music in the street.

Mrs McAllister said: “We are trying to get as many people involved as possible but they are all excited about it.”

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle urged his town to take part: “I am sure we’ll have plenty of street parties.

“We should have more street parties. We shouldn’t need an excuse.”

William and Kate are set to visit Blackburn and Darwen on an as-yet undisclosed date, with the precise locations yet to be revealed.

Street parties

Where residents will be celebrating in the street.

  • Cherry Close, Audley, Blackburn
  • Greenfield Street, Darwen
  • Bolton Avenue, Huncoat
  • Tarn Brook Close, Huncoat
  • Grizedale Close, Clayton-le-Moors
  • Barnard Close, Oswaldtwistle
  • Beach Crescent, Altham
  • Warner Street, Accrington
  • Redhouse Close, Clayton-le-Moors
  • Garfield Street, Accrington
  • Squirrels Close, Accrington
  • Bank Street, Accrington
  • Church Street and surrounding town centre streets, Accrington

The seven in the Ribble Valley have not been revealed