THE Royal Wedding had people partying in the city’s streets today as the barbecues sizzled and the beer flowed.

Across Worcester residents used the excuse of Prince William’s wedding to Catherine Middleton for a proper British knees-up.

The shops must have run dry of red, white and blue bunting as party-goers stuck Union flags and pictures of the happy couple to lampposts, cakes, garage doors and even young children.

In Warndon, Amy Austin had marshalled her neighbours in Burtree Avenue, Warndon, where the theme was very much about getting the community together.

“If I’m honest I watched a little bit of it on television,” she said.

“But it wasn’t about the Royal Wedding really, it was because it’s just nice to have an excuse to get everyone together and get the children playing.”

The barbecues and bouncy castle were a common theme at many of the parties as the often troublesome British weather played its part to perfection delivering warm sunshine.

In Kipling Close and nearby Dryden Close on the Blanquettes estate in Barbourne, there were two parties just a stone’s throw from each other.

Neighbours Jenny Morris and Lisa Preece had knocked doors in Kipling Close inviting the neighbours round, who had answered by bringing plates piled high with cakes, sausage rolls, sandwiches and pizza.

Mrs Preece did manage to catch the wedding despite the party preparation saying “it was beautiful”.

Miss Morris added: “ The dress looked just perfect for Kate, she looked lovely”.

Yards away Jody Bate of Eliot Road had organised a party on the green, with live music, football and even a Second World War re-enactor.

“I wanted the community to meet up, and come together,” he said.

“My wife insisted on watching the wedding, but I’ve been busy preparing so it wasn’t too bad.”

Chris Martin, landlord of the Brunswick Arms in Malvern Road, St John’s - famed for the yellow Robin Reliant parked outside - managed to fill three long union jack-covered tables with patriotic punters saying the turn-out had been “fantastic”.

Worcester Wolves basketball team had turned up to test youngsters’ skills, while the fairground-style plate smashing went down a storm with the youngsters.

And in Everard Close, Marguerite Newman - who partied for the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977 - was delighted more than 70 neighbours turned up.

She enjoyed the wedding but was expecting “more bling” on Kate’s dress.

“Diana’s dress was beautiful, but Kate’s was very simple - she looked a bit like the Queen when she got married actually.”

With many of the parties not due to finish until 10pm yesterday night, the royal couple will certainly be able to claim they were well toasted for the occasion.

• See how the people of Worcestershire celebrated the Royal Wedding in our online gallery here.