Braving the rain, the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Tony Vourou, opened the annual Barnet Christmas Fayre, cutting a red ribbon stretched across the High Street.

Barnet's credentials as a green borough have been strengthened enormously by the dedication of volunteers who maintain the seven-and-a-half-acre nature reserve and environment centre off Byng Road.

A small industrial estate behind hoardings and cafes at Pricklers Hill on the Great North Road will be replaced by a new self-storage facility if Barnet Council gives planning approval.

"Where will all the cars go?" was the first question asked by many local residents attending the first exhibition of the latest plans to build blocks of flats over the car park and self-storage container yard at High Barnet tube station.

After Christmas markets in late November were disrupted by snow, rain and wind, organisers are hoping for better weather on Sunday 1 December for the annual Barnet Christmas Fayre.

Visiting Arkley Christmas bazaar was a chance for the Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson to get into the seasonal spirit and make his acquaintance with Santa Clause.