AN area of Stanmore where Orthodox Jews can break tradition on the Sabbath will become part of the biggest of its kind in London.

The boundaries of the Eruv will be extended to link it to one in Edgware, allowing those who follow the faith to do day-to-day tasks like pushing prams and carrying shopping on the religion's holy day.

Orthodox Jews are forbidden from carrying out certain tasks in public on Saturdays but the zone allows them to treat the area within it as if it was private.

It is made by linking existing boundaries, such as railway lines and garden fences, with wires erected on top of poles.

Councillor Keith Ferry, responsible for planning, chaired the committee that extended existing planning permission last night.

He said: “Harrow has the most religiously diverse community of any UK borough so I’m pleased that we can support more of our residents as they practise their faith.

“The Eruv will bring big benefits to those orthodox Jews who abide by strict religious rules but the works themelves are so unobtrusive that most people will not even notice them.

“One of Harrow’s major strengths is that people from all backgrounds and beliefs get on together and this is something the council will continue to promote and celebrate.”

Planning permission was originally granted in June 2009 but the Eruv was never built.

The extension will allow it to be linked to an Eruv in Edgware, which in turn will soon link to another in Mill Hill, which will link to Hendon, which already links to Golders Green.

Councillor Husain Akhtar (Cons/Canons) supported the application and said: “It is good that the officers have recommended the application for grant and have rightly referred to a number of Harrow's planning policies which acknowledge the importance of different but equally important community needs.

“I'm really very pleased that the Eruv application has been granted.”