HANG out the flags because it's full speed ahead for the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Only months ago there were fears the big event over the weekend of June 1 to 4 could turn out to be a damp squib.

But, following the death of the Queen Mother, public interest in the jubilee has surged.

Lord Sterling of Plaistow, the man in charge of organising the celebrations, said he was now receiving a flood of inquiries from villages hoping to hold street parties and other events.

Yesterday he said: "It is undoubted that the funeral of the Queen Mother and what she represented to the country has heightened people's interest. She was always absolutely determined that the celebrations, if anything did transpire, would not only go on, but would be something special for her daughter."

Shops in the region selling jubilee commemorative gifts and local councils handling applications for street parties also report increased interest.

Lisa Spencer, who runs the Studio in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, said it had a waiting list for some items. It had sold 50 lots of bunting and 20 Union flags in a few weeks.

She said: "We've got stuff on order as we're running out.

"Sales were a bit slow to start with, but with the funeral and everything it has all just kicked into gear."

Jubilee door plaques, hats, streamers and balloons were flying off the shelves. An inflatable Union flag guitar was also available.

Councils are now in full swing to deal with street party applications as the weather takes a turn for the better.

A spokesman for Hartlepool Borough Council said it had received 25 applications and they were coming in at a steady rate following the death of the Queen Mother.

Dr Joan Harvey, a chartered psychologist at Newcastle University, said recent events had reminded the public of the value of the Royal Family.

She said: "There is that realisation that whatever we have got might just be a lot better than that in other countries. Given a choice, people would rather have a monarchy - as would you want someone like George Bush as your figurehead?