No 10 may hold royal wedding street party

Downing Street has applied to hold a royal wedding street party, sparking speculation the Prime Minister and his wife are planning an open-air bash.

David Cameron and partner Sam are expected to attend the marriage ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey and the reception at Buckingham Palace on April 29.

Westminster Council has received an application from Number 10 but a Downing Street spokeswoman stressed no decision had been made whether to hold an event in the famous thoroughfare.

Well-wishers across the country have also been applying to their local authorities to hold outdoor parties to mark William and Kate's wedding.

The organisation Streets Alive has estimated that two million people could take to the streets to celebrate the big day.

The Government has cut Whitehall red tape to make it easier for communities to hold outdoor parties.

There were fears that a misinterpretation of Government road-closure guidance about social events was leading some councils to impose conditions on residents that would make it difficult for them to arrange activities.

But Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced in February that he was writing to all local councils in England to tell them he was scrapping the guidance to avoid any confusion.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "We are looking into the option of a street party, however no decision has been made."

A Westminster Council spokeswoman said the application was still being processed.

She added: "(Downing Street is) already shut to traffic so that makes it slightly easier because no traffic orders have to be in place."