TRADERS helped to make this year’s Barnet Christmas Fayre the best yet.

For the first time members of Barnet Traders Association got together with Barnet borough Arts Council and The Spires Shopping Centre to promote what the high street has to offer.

On Sunday the fayre opened with a peal of bells as the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Anthony Finn, arrived in High Street alongside Father Christmas.

Following the mayoral car were around 70 to 80 youngsters singing songs from the musical Oliver.

The Victorian-style fayre originated in the Eighties and visitors were encouraged to embrace this year’s Victorian theme and dress up for the occasion.

A record number of stalls lined the street with two floors of craft stalls in Church House in Wood Street.

James Freeman is a member of the association and owner of Victoria Bakery which had a stall at the fayre.

He said: "The fayre was better than it has been in previous years and there appeared to be more people than usual."

Fayre committee leader Barry Ainsworth said: “Everywhere was packed full of people and everyone enjoyed the event. It was great seeing such a big crowd all enjoying themselves.”

Free entertainment was also at places including Barnet Parish Church, The Spires, Bull Theatre and Tudor Hall, in Wood Street.

A choir and band sang Christmas carols accompanied by the bells of Barnet Church and the day was brought to a close with fireworks.

Any profits will be distributed between five charities: Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, Barnet Borough Arts Council, Dare to Dream Performers and the New Barnet war memorial.