Road closed as fans flock to X Factor house

The road next to the X Factor house which has been flooded with crowds of teenage fans is being shut off amid "safety fears", the local council said today.

Barnet Council is closing the road where contestants of the ITV show are being housed for six days, to protect the young fans who have been waiting to catch glimpses of their idols.

Roadblocks are being placed at either end of the street in north London.

Fans have spent their half term donning "Jedward" masks, paying homage to spiky-haired twins John and Edward Grimes.

A statement from Barnet Council said the road closure was being put in place over "safety fears".

It said the council would close the road to through traffic before reviewing the situation next week.

The statement said: "The decision has been taken to protect children and teenagers who have been amassing in the road outside the property."

The council said the road is regularly used as a "cut-through" by motorists.

The statement continued: Roadblocks will be put in at either end of the street, with arrangements being made to allow residents, and their visitors, to get to and from their homes.

"The closures will stay in place until Tuesday 3 November when the situation will be reviewed."

Councillor Andrew Harper added: "I appreciate the nuisance that this crowd is causing some local residents but our priority has to be to ensure that these young people are safe.

"We have rain forecast for the weekend and I hope that, and the end of half term, will bring an end to the problem.

"In the meantime I trust the fans outside the house realise that this is a residential street and will act accordingly."

The council said it had received no complaints from Chinese ambassador Madame Fu Ying, who also lives on the street.

Reports have suggested she was upset by the crowds but no one at the Chinese Embassy was immediately available to comment.