RESIDENTS planning street parties in the Island to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee are being offered a helping hand.

Friday, July 6 has been declared a public holiday to commemorate the anniversary.

A statement by the Department of Infrastructure said: "Street parties are a simple way to get to know your neighbours and meet members of your community.

"We want to make it easy for you to hold this sort of local event without having to plough through mountains of forms and red tape.

"The Department of Infrastructure's Highways Division will advise and assist organisers with plans for road closures and with arrangements to borrow road closed and diversion signs.

"As a special concession for street parties held on Friday, July 6 2012 road closure orders will be made free of charge.

"To assist, the Department of Infrastructure has produced a simple guide on how to close a road to hold a street party on this special day.

"The guidance notes and application forms are available from the Highways Division on the Highways website http://www.gov.im/transport/highways/administration/events_oders.xml

"Applications must be submitted by March 31 2012."