COUNCIL bosses were today accused of being spoilsports after suggesting street parties to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee should be avoided.

Hyndburn chiefs want people to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's reign at council-run events in parks instead of at traditional street gatherings.

The move has met with an anger from a residents' association who say officials are acting like "spoilsports and party-poopers".

But Blackburn with Darwen Council told people today they would welcome street parties and would not stop the great British tradition.

Hyndburn area council co-ordinator Steve Watson, said conditions had changed since the Queen's Silver Jubilee of 1977.

He said there was now a greater amount of traffic which made the roads more dangerous and the cost of obtaining a street closure order was now £268.

Closed off streets, he argued, would also make it more difficult for emergency vehicles to gain access to people who need help.

He said: "We just want to send out a warning to local people that the situation is different from 1977. We're not saying road closures are out. We're just looking at other ways of celebrating.

"The leisure services department has agreed to look at our parks as a place to hold parties and we will look upon them favourably.

"A street party is a wonderful way of celebrating the jubilee but we don't want to block access to emergency vehicles. We want people to think about how they can maintain safety. There are a lot more people with cars now than there were 25 years ago."

But chairman of newly-formed Rishton Gardener's Residents Association Jackie Waring reacted angrily to the possible threat.

She said: "We don't even have any parks so where are we supposed to have our celebration? They're just being spoilsports and acting like party-poopers.

"It's not something that happens very often, only once every 25 years, and it's a great way of bringing the community together.

"The council will have to rethink its ideas and listen to people's opinions before they say things like this.

"In 1977 there was a good community spirit and we had a party near to my home on Burton Street. It was very well attended by families and it showed what a great British institution the street party is."

Blackburn with Darwen Coun Kate Hollern, executive member for leisure and culture said today street parties were part of British heritage: "Our plans have not been discussed but we certainly wouldn't be opposed to street parties and we would probably have celebrations in the park as well.

"I can't understand why Hyndburn would want put people off holding street parties. I remember when we had them for Charles and Di's wedding in 1981 and the Silver Jubilee in 1977. Before that they had them for the end of the war.

"They should be organised events but they are a British tradition and people like holding them."

And a spokesman for Blackburn chief executive Phil Watson said street parties were in the pipeline. He said: "We are looking at events at the Cathedral and are in the process of setting up working parties to discuss street parties. Whether they go ahead is up to the communities but we will work with them."

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe added: "We have a jubilee committee which is looking at plans to celebrate the golden jubilee. One of our ideas is to open up the parks and we are looking at various types of entertainment .

"There is no intention to prohibit street parties and I would be looking at ways to help enable street parties if residents wanted them. But the world is a different place from 1977 and it is more difficult to have a party in a safe environment.

"I'm not sad about about it. The fact there are more cars on our roads is what I call progress."