Barnet Council has approved plans for four parks to be hired out for private events.

Hendon Park, Scratchwood, Edgwarebury Park and Princes Park can all be hired out for events such as weddings or private parties following Cabinet's approval last night.

The authority has introduced a points system to manage the number of events that can be held on each site. The system will take various factors into consideration including the size of the park and its car parking spaces.

The parks can also be used for a maximum of three fun fairs per year.

A further four public sites including Lyttelton Playing Fields, Highlands Gardens, Victoria Park and Oak Hill Park were removed from the plans following negative feedback from a consultation.

A total of 1,206 people took part in the council’s Events in Parks consultation with 73.6 per cent opposing the scheme.

It revealed people were worried the plans would lead to increased crime, noise pollution, litter and parking problems as well as damage to the parks.