Parking and enviromental health services staff who had intended to participate in a half-day strike at Barnet Council today have been told to go home.

Barnet's UNISON branch secretary John Burgess revealed there was a scene of "chaos" at North London Business Park, as staff from various council departments were told of their fate.

"Some people have been told (to go home) and others have not," he said.

"We're waiting outside as workers are going in and being told to go home."

Yesterday, the council warned workers: “When you arrive to work tomorrow or any other day, you will be expected, until further notice, to immediately sign an attendance register declaring that you will carry out all your contractual duties."

"If you refuse to sign the register then you will be deemed to be withdrawing your services and lose a whole day’s pay and be invited to leave the Councils premises.”