LONDON Mayor Boris Johnson has appointed Carry On films and EastEnders star Barbara Windsor to be his street party champion.

And people in Bexley are being urged to get their skates on if they want to hold one to celebrate the royal wedding at the end of next month.

The official closing date for applications in on Friday (March 18) but Bexley Council says it is prepared to be a bit flexible for the royal wedding.

The council normally needs six weeks notice because of the rules about advertising road closures.

So far Bexley has received 28 enquiries about holding a party for the wedding on April 29 and 12 have made formal applications.

The council has said it will foot the bill for any road closures needed, which normally costs £250, but organisers will have to pay for their own public liability insurance.

People can go to streetparty.org.uk to find links to suitable insurance which will cost around £50.

If you intend to sell alcohol at your street party, you may also need a Temporary Events notice, but as long as you do not advertise the events or sell tickets to the wider community, it will be classified as a private event.

Organisers are also advised to think of others when it comes to music and public address systems, and access for emergency vehicles.

And the organisers will also be responsible for clearing up after the party and returning the street to its normal condition.

The day of the wedding, which is a Friday, has been declared a public holiday and the following Monday, May 2 is also the May Day bank holiday, so people could have a choice of dates over the long weekend.

Information on street parties and the application form for permission to hold one, are available from communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/doc/1701039.doc