COUNTY Council bosses have suspended road closure rules so that people can afford to have a street party for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

But organisers of local events over the June 1 to 4 period still face paying premiums to ensure the events are properly insured.

And patriotic residents in Blackburn and Darwen will have to wait to see if the decision to waive the closure charges is extended to their area.

It was feared that event organisers could be faced with a bill of more than £1,000 to cover the cost of a road traffic order, advertising the closure and providing diversion signs.

And events will also have to be covered by liability insurance to the tune of £5million just in case there are any accidents.

But today a spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: "We have decided there will be no charge for making the order to close roads. The county council will provide signs free of charge indicating blocked access routes for jubilee celebrations.

"The organisers themselves will still need to organise liability insurance which will be made available through borough authorities at a discounted price."

Lancashire County Council is mass producing road closure signs and has told borough councils that it will take responsibility for organising the closures. Busy main roads will not be allowed to close for parties.

Borough councils such as Pendle and Rossendale, however, have decided to provide an easy avenue for party organisers to access liability insurance at a cost of £105 by arranging it through the council's own insurers.

And Coun David Whalley, the Hyndburn Council cabinet member responsible for Jubilee celebrations, said: "The issue of liability will be raised at the cabinet meeting on March 20 and until then we encourage people to send in their ideas."