About 180 people sat down for a barbecue in the middle of the street with their neighbours after watching the Royal Wedding in Gressenhall, near Dereham.

With Chequers Lane closed off, an eclectic jumble of tables and chairs were pushed together in the road as villagers together toasted the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

While the event was decorated with the obligatory bunting and face-painting, the food was prepared on an impressive cooking range created by a line of barbecues, borrowed from backyards.

The event was organised by Sarah Jarvis and Georgina Cleere, who said: 'With all the trouble in the world it is just a great excuse to have a community get-together. We can get to know our neighbours and have a great celebration.

'For me, the main reason for doing this is for my daughter Evie, who is six. I wanted her to grow up knowing about the monarchy. And you know what children are like – they all want to be a fairytale princess and today they have been able to see a real one.'

Georgina said her village's street party was at least as impressive as the celebration a few miles away in North Elmham, organised by her sister-in-law Emma Cleere – who had earlier stoked up some friendly family rivalry by suggesting her village had thrown the better party.

'We didn't plan it together, it is a complete coincidence,' said Georgina. 'One day Emma said she was having a street party and I said: 'So are we!'

'She might think hers is bigger but ours is more intimate and it's going on longer. We got the road closed until 9pm because we are prepared to party into the night.'