MILLENNIUM street parties will cost organisers £350, according to a new council report.

And the report, which was presented to South Ribble's development services committee on September 1, revealed that only cul-de-sacs which are not on bus routes can be cordoned off for such events.

With many people expected to snub expensive town centre venues on the Millennium Eve, street parties are expected to be popular entertainment for South Ribble revellers.

But council chiefs say that party organisers must pay £350 upfront if they want their function to go ahead at all.

And council bosses have decreed that parties can only take place during bank holiday weekends.

A council spokesman said: "In the past we have given permission for street parties to take place during events such as the Royal Wedding in 1981 and the Preston Guild in 1992.

"Parties can be held on streets which are not through traffic routes or bus routes, where the majority of residents are in favour of the scheme and where the police and emergency services have no objections"

Party organisers will also be requested to get insurance cover with a minimum indemnity limit of £2 million.

The spokesman added they were preparing for Millennium parties throughout the year.

He said: "Because the Millennium is during the winter months, there's a possibility that parties could be held on days when the climate is more clement and suitable.

"To avoid having roads closed all year round, we want to restrict parties to the set bank holidays during the year.

"The charge of £350 will help cover associated costs for reach application."

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