The streets of High Barnet were filled with the smell of mulled wine and mince pies at a traditional Christmas fayre visited by thousands of people on Sunday.

High Street was closed off to traffic to make way for 94 stalls at the annual festive fun day which organisers boasted was “bigger than ever before”.

An estimated 12,000 people filled the streets and more than 12 participating venues to get a taste of Christmas at the jam-packed fayre between midday and 5pm.

Barry Ainsworth has been running the festival for six years and his team of more than 50 volunteers begin preparations as early as August.

He said: “It went very well. The atmosphere was great – the high street was bustling. It is difficult for me to enjoy it because I’m running from place to place making sure everything is going well but we were very pleased with how it went and especially the turnout.”

First time appearances at the fayre included Wesley Hall, at High Barnet Methodist Church, which put on cookery displays from professional chefs, and a continuously running film on the history of Barnet in the Misty Moon pub.

Other highlights included live music on an outdoor stage, a fun fair and a ‘things that go bump in the night’ ghost stories tour run by the Incognito Theatre Group.

Barnet mayor Brian Schama and Councillor John Hart, chairman of Barnet's arts council, also addressed the crowd on the stage to officially open the festival.

Stall holders and performers dressed up in Victorian dress to give the occasion a traditional feel and Mr Ainsworth said many families stayed from start to finish as “there was so much going on”.

This year’s fayre featured more stalls than ever before and all profits made by the organisers will be split between up to four charities to be chosen by the committee at a later date.

Organisers are hoping 2012’s bumper event will pave the way for further expansion in the coming years and they are appealing for a few helping hands to make it possible.

Mr Ainsworth said: “The future is looking very good for the fayre - so many people were out enjoying themselves and it was great to see.

“It would be nice if we could build on this success and expand and we are always looking for more volunteers to get involved.

“We all enjoy the challenge of putting this together and if we can get more people on board we will see where this can go.”

If you are interested in volunteering for next year’s event, email Barry, who also organises the annual East Barnet Festival, by emailing info@eastbarnetfestival.org.uk or calling him on 07071781745.