WITH less than a month to go until the royal wedding, only two street parties are planned in South Lakeland.

Unpredictable spring weather, insurance costs, and apathy towards the royal family are cited among reasons why locals have shied away from staging street celebrations.

“I’m absolutely flabbergasted to hear we’re the only people organising a street party in Kendal," said Jenny Goodman, joint organiser of a street party for residents on Sandylands.

“The royal wedding is just a catalyst for a community get- together and we’re expecting around 100 guests.

"It seems such a shame that it’s not being repeated elsewhere, but I guess there’s a lot less public interest in it than I thought.”

The only other street party in the South Lakeland area is to be held in Birkfield Road, Windermere.

A similar lack of enthusiasm has been shown by the residents of Eden where just four parties have been organised, while in neighbouring north Lancashire there is one, and in Craven no applications have been made.

With the deadline for road closure applications now passed, civic leaders have expressed their embarrasment that more is not being done to celebrate Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton.

“It hasn’t featured in our discussions, or even been raised for a future town council agenda item, I feel embarrased to say,” said Mayor of Windermere Coun Bill Smith.

“Unfortunately, lifestyles have moved on from celebrating events in this way.

"Perhaps we’re missing a trick, but neither I nor 19 other town councillors have felt compelled to organise something.”

South Lakeland District Council licensing officer Tony Houlihan said he would have expected to see more applications, but added that times had changed since the ‘wedding hysteria’ of Prince Charles’ marriage to Diana Spencer in 1981.

“You might have expected a little bit more activity but, to be honest, I think it’s just the wrong time of year for street parties.

"In 1981 it was quite novel, it was our future king getting married.

"In my personal opinion there’s not so many monarchists about as there used to be.”