Following the success of Lighting Up Brentwood, council chiefs are considering closing the High Street for more events.

Brentwood Borough Council leader Cllr David Gottesmann said residents had approached him to close the street temporarily for community events like street fairs and markets.

He suggested the events could be held one weekend a month or during the summer when there was more daylight.

Cllr Gottesmann said: "A lot of people have commented on how good it was in the High Street for Lighting Up Brentwood and the cycle race."

"They have said to me that we should do it more often for farmer's markets or a French market.

"I would like people to let us know if they think these closures are worth having."

Brentwood council currently has permission to close Brentwood High Street twice a year but can apply for further days.

Council officers stressed the temporary closure of High Street would not involve a ring road or pedestrianisation of the street.

Brentwood council policy board members agreed to commission consultants Moushels to carry out a risk assessment of Lighting Up Brentwood in conjunction with Brentwood Police.

This assessment will be used when Brentwood council plans the festive event for 2002. Board chairman Cllr Charles Myers said: "The event has been very successful."

At the Wednesday night meeting Cllr Gottesmann said: "As far as we are aware there was no danger this year."

"It was a lot busier this year than it was last year and if it starts becoming busier we will have to consider safety issues. We should start planning now for next year. "We want to make Lighting Up Brentwood as enjoyable as it can be."

Cllr Ken Wright the size of the event was a turn off for some residents.

He said: "Some people are not coming to Lighting Up Brentwood because there are too many people like the Notting Hill Carnival. It's a victim of its own success."

Published Thursday December 27, 2001