CHARGING revellers to hold street parties on the day of the royal wedding has not been ruled out by Swindon Council.

Council officials will meet on Thursday to discuss whether they will be charging for street party licences for festivities taking place on April 29, the day Prince William marries Kate Middleton.

But while Swindon is still considering its position, Wiltshire Council has confirmed that it will be waiving the charges. for people wanting to celebrate the Royal wedding.

A spokesman for Swindon Council said: “We will know by the end of the week.

“What we are aiming to do is make it as easy as possible for people to hold these events if they want to, but details will be planned on Thursday with highways and licensing.”

The spokesman said it was possible there could be a fee but he did not know what the cost could be.

“There is not necessarily a set charge. We are looking to see if we are going to make it free,” he said.

There is also a possibility that smaller parties could be given licences for free whereas bigger ones might have to pay.

Martha Parry, who has lived in the Railway Village for 13 years, is planning a street party for the local community which is likely to involve the closure of Exeter and Reading streets.

“It is just a hope at the moment. The idea is to have two streets to make a core route down the village,” she said.

“People have been saying somebody should do something and I thought ‘let us do it’.”

She thinks people should not be charged for their licences as it may mean some people are not able to celebrate.

“I understand it is hard times but it might prohibit people if they haven’t got money to start with,” she said.

“We are going to have a bring and buy sale soon to get money to put it together.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Wiltshire Council said they would not be charging revellers but notice would need to be given.

“If it’s a simple cul-de-sac street party then we would need approximately two weeks’ notice, the middle of April would be the cut off time,” she said.

“However, if the street party requires a formal road closure under the Town and Police Clauses Act then the council’s traffic order team will require at least eight weeks notice, making February 28 the deadline.”

Wiltshire Council has received a number of enquiries but no formal applications yet.