COUNCILS could foot the bill for street parties to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee later this year.

It was feared that costs for a street party could put people off holding events, with third-party insurance to the value of £5million, road closure fees and advertising.

But Hyndburn Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council are in talks with Lancashire County Council to see if they can help meet the financial burden.

Matthew Hargreaves, a co-ordinator of celebrations for Hyndburn Council, is working to decide on road closures requested in preparation for Jubilee celebrations.

He said: "Anyone considering a street party needs a traffic order to close a road. We are recommending that a written request is submitted for a specific party and then council members can take up those requests with the county council."

And yesterday the Department of Transport was urging local councils to waive the charges in fear that they will put people off.

John Spellar, transport minister, said: "We do not want the organisation of celebrations to be hampered by red tape. We would expect that it would be only in exceptional circumstances that a charge would need to be levied on event organisers for road closure orders."

So far several people in East Lancashire have made inquiries for road closures reminiscent of the bunting and table celebrations in 1977.

But Hyndburn council will open discussions with the LCC to arrange the complex financing of the events requested for residential and side street areas.

Mr Hargreaves added: "At this stage it is thought that the cost of the application will be borne either by the county council or local councils by means of a joint application for a road traffic order.

"The most substantial cost incurred is advertising in newspapers detailing diversions."

It is thought the road traffic order to cover the cost of signalling road diversions, advertising and organising emergency service detours will cost around £1,000. Third party insurance could add another £105.

Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport insisted that local authorities have "a key role in helping people to plan local celebrations with the minimum of fuss."

A county council spokesman said: "We are reviewing the issue at the moment. We are aware that people might want to close streets and hold events to celebrate the jubilee and we are discussing what to do."

Councillor Ashley Whalley, Blackburn executive member for regeneration said: "We received some guidance from the government this week which we will look at.

"At the moment there has not been much interest shown around the borough for street parties. The council is staging the popular and free Darwen Music Live event as part of its jubilee celebrations over the jubilee holiday weekend."

Jubilee celebrations are expected to span June 1-4 celebrating 50 years since the Queen's accession to the throne.

Tool kits for street parties are available on the website www.jubilee.gov.uk or by calling 0845 000 2002.