Residents could get together to close their streets to traffic in a new scheme.

Douglas Council will launch a ‘Play Streets’ scheme in time for the summer holidays.

The scheme was founded in Bristol in 2009 when two mothers got together with neighbours to close their street to traffic to make it safe for children to play.

Bristol City Council then put a policy in place to let street communities play out every week and it has developed into a national movement.

Douglas Council plans to launch the pilot scheme during the first week of the summer holidays.

Councillor Andrew Bentley, chair of the regeneration and community committee, said: ‘Play Streets is an exciting initiative which we believe will provide an opportunity for children and young people to experience and benefit from playing out in the streets and spaces where they live.

‘As a result, their street will become more sociable, safe and a place to have fun, creating health, happiness and a sense of belonging along the way.

‘Similar schemes supported by local authorities in the UK have had a positive impact on health and community cohesion, and we believe if we can establish a desire for play streets in Douglas, they will rapidly grow in popularity too.

‘We have received suggestions of possible areas for the Play Streets project ahead of running a pilot during the first week of the summer holidays in late July.’