RESIDENTS planning a bumper street party to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee were astonished after being landed with an £855 bill from Swindon Council.

The council boasted last month that it was waiving £50 administration fees for road closures during the celebrations.

But it told people in Ermin Street in Stratton St Margaret that they would have to pay extra charges because their road was so busy.

The fee will pay for council workmen to erect and remove diversion signs from surrounding roads.

Carol Hunter came up with the idea for the party along with her friend Julie Burrows.

She said members of her organising committee can remember streets parties for the Silver Jubilee in 1977 in which residents closed their road by using home-made barricades.

And she said other towns and cities are being more generous than Swindon in their support of jubilee events.

Portsmouth is spending £10,000 to help the cost of parties. It is waiving all costs of diversions and is even providing free trestle tables and barriers, together with insurance for its 73 street events.

Carol said: "One reason we didn't get city status was lack of community spirit.

"The council should do more. What it is saying is there are no budgeted funds.

"This is a once in a lifetime event it's terrible management that this council didn't think in advance to put a little bit of money aside for it.

"As a town we need to be committed to things like this to show residents they are part of a thriving community."

The Ermin Street group is one of 22 which have applied for road closures across the borough to mark the jubilee.

Julie said she has been amazed at the way the planned event has snowballed since she and Carol came up with the idea early this year. She said the party would go ahead, and the £855 would be raised.

She said: "The local community has been absolutely wonderful.

"We've had elderly folk phone up and say they can't do much but they can bake cakes. Another couple are organising a bring and buy sale."

Already confirmed for the day are a pig-roast, barbecue, live music, street entertainers and tug-of-war contest. There will also be an assortment of games and stalls.

Julie said: "I've been really surprised at the level of enthusiasm we have had from people, everyone wants to get involved.

"People from other parts of Swindon keep saying that they wouldn't do anything like that where they live but it only took two of us to get this started and now everyone wants to get involved."

Swindon Council spokeswoman Lynda Fleming said councillors had voted only to waive the cost of the £50 administration charge for road closures, not the cost of setting up a diversion.

She said residents could avoid paying road closure charges if they chose to hold parties in a cul-de-sac or other open space.

Anyone interested in supporting the Ermin Street party, which takes place on Monday, June 3, from 3-9pm, should contact Julie Burrows on 07796 178321.