Coventry City Council is gearing up for a late flood of applications from people wanting to hold street parties to celebrate the Millennium.

Anyone planning a street party has to get permission from the council to close their road but demand had been slow up until this week.

But now around a dozen communities have written to the Highways and Traffic department and it is expecting more as the new century approaches.

Davinder Chohan, Engineering Assistant at the council, said the requests had come from across the city.

"They are from all over Coventry but most tend to be in quiet streets or cul-de-sacs. We had only had three requests up until last week but the number is now up to 11 and we are expecting that to at least double.

"The celebrations for VE Day a few years ago was the last time we really had very many requests and the same pattern was evident then, with people leaving it a bit late.

"People have to write to me stating the exact time on the 31^st they want to close the road and exactly when they want to open it again.

"It cannot be a major road or a bus route, but so far we have not had any applications of that sort.

"I think most are for the traditional sort of street party, where a few people just get together to celebrate and have some food and music. Most parties seem to be starting around 10am and going on to about 2-3am.

"The applicants have to show that they have informed everyone in the street and that there have been no objections."

There is no charge for the road closure but the council does have to list all roads affected through an advert in the Evening Telegraph.

Guidance notes are then sent out to the party organisers advising them how to close the road – using two dustbins and some bunting!