A party is being thrown to celebrate the closure of a street householders say has been using as a "rat run" for decades.

An 18-month trial closure of Church Street in Isleworth is due to begin on Monday (December 7).

The move has proved unpopular with many people, who are concerned it will add to congestion on surrounding roads .

But it has been welcomed by many of those living in Church Street and surrounding roads, who say they have been lobbying Hounslow Council to do something for more than 25 years.

Congestion in Church Street, Isleworth

To celebrate, they are holding a party in the street next Saturday (December 12), when the Christmas lights will be switched on.

The festivities will begin at The London Apprentice pub at 5pm, with bell ringing followed by carols.

Local celebrity Eileen Sheridan, a former cycling champion, will switch on the lights at 5.45pm and there will be live music at the London Apprentice from 6.15pm.

Children can also make dens from cardboard boxes upstairs at the pub from 2pm-5pm that afternoon. Space is limited and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The event is being organised by the East Church Street Residents Association, in partnership with the pub. Money raised will go to Cathja, a charity based on a Dutch barge which uses art to help people with mental health problems.

"Brave and visionary decision"

One South Street resident, who campaigned for the road closure but asked not be named, said: "The residents of Church Street and many from the wider area have been lobbying the local council for over 25 years to help us calm the traffic in this area and make it a safer place for the residents and the wider community that walk these narrow pavements.

"It is great that after so many years of writing, petitioning and lobbying the council they have taken the brave and rather visionary decision to trial a closure.

"The decision for this trial closure followed a long open, democratic process, which the council voted unanimously to adopt.

"It is important to note that many of those opposing the trial were included in the consultation, despite protestation to the contrary by the leaders of the group – who themselves live close by and were consulted.

"For us as residents of Church Street it is now our objective to transform this street into a place the community can enjoy and we are currently working toward creating a number of events in 2016 that the families of Isleworth can enjoy."

Church Street is already home to a popular street party each summer, which this year was attended by some 3,000 revellers .

The Christmas celebrations in Church Street will take place on the same day as a protest march along Twickenham Road opposing the closure.