Diamond Jubilee: Hertfordshire tops street party list

Hertfordshire will see more street parties to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee than any other county in the UK, according to figures from the Local Government Association.

Residents requested 451 road closures for events, ahead of Surrey with 419.

St Albans will see the most, with 95 planned from 2-5 June, more than some counties such as Somerset with 60.

A county council spokesperson said that a decision to waive the normal road closure fee had "done the trick".

In November 2011, Hertfordshire County Council agreed to classify small events and private parties as community events and waive the administration fees due to the "social benefits" of such gatherings.

Councillor Stuart Pile said: "We wanted to make it as easy as possible for residents to plan parties.

"There were over 300 events across the county in 2011 for the Royal Wedding and to beat that number for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is fantastic.

"Hertfordshire residents have shown over the years they know how to throw a party."

Over the course of the Jubilee weekend, 167 parties will be held on Sunday, 172 on Monday and 85 on Tuesday. Another 27 will be held before and after the main bank holiday weekend.

The Local Government Association reported that across the country, councils had received almost 9,500 road closure applications.

Bedfordshire residents applied for 98 road closures and Buckinghamshire will have 160.