The days of people just nodding at their neighbours, without even knowing their names, were consigned to the past as residents piled out into the street to get to know each other and have a proper knees-up.

Highland Street in Southsea made a claim to be one of the friendliest roads in the area as residents partied together in a bid to boost community spirit.

The street was closed to traffic and everyone brought out garden furniture and shared food and drink with neighbours they might not have spoken to before.

The event was organised by Florence Lehmann who has lived in the road for three years. She decided to try to improve neighbourhood spirit after becoming frustrated at getting to know only a handful of other people living in the street.

And the street party went so well everyone is already planning how to make it bigger and better next year.

Florence said: 'It was an amazing day. We were only supposed to be out in the street between 2pm and 6pm but everyone was enjoying themselves so much we carried on longer.

'When we started we had about 30 people come out but more people gradually came out of their houses and we had about 70 in the end.

'I was only expecting about 40 people so the day went really, really well.

'We're already talking about next year and what we will do to make it bigger and better.'

The idea for the street party came from Florence, who grew up in a French village where festivals are held so that people can relax and party with friends and neighbours.

With the idea of doing the same here, she sent out letters to the 35 houses in her street asking if people would like a party.

Receiving positive responses, the French teacher set to work and paid the £70 fee required for insurance for the day.

The move was given support by the police who say getting to know your neighbours helps to make you feel more secure in the knowledge you have people nearby to turn to if you need help.