Streets should be closed to traffic so that children can play safely outside their own homes, according to a charity.

London Play has launched a Play Streets Guide in its drive to encourage residents in Waltham Forest to organise events on a regular basis.

Richard Driffield, of London Play, said: “Children naturally love to play outdoors but sometimes road safety fears stop this.

“We want to empower Waltham Forest residents so they can come together and organise the regular closure of their streets to through traffic so children can play safely – it’s great for the whole community.

“A couple of streets have already trialed this in Waltham Forest but now our online guide is aimed at making it even easier to do so we can role this out across the entire borough.”

Last year, a similar scheme operated in the Leyton area.

Funding is available to residents who want to start local play streets, with each project eligible for £400 assistance.

For more information on The Waltham Forest Play Street Guide click here or email info@londonplay.org.uk.