Festive shoppers gathered round to watch a snowman light-up a Christmas tree in High Barnet.

Shopkeepers in High Street raised money to buy the tree which sparkled with hundreds of glimmering lights outside St John the Baptist Church last Friday.

Husband and wife Michael and Alice Kentish, who own Hopscotch sweetshop, launched the campaign and put collection pots in shops across the High Street.

With the help of generous customers as well as Hunters Estate Agents and money bequeathed to the cause, Mr and Mrs Kentish soon had enough cash to buy the tree.

Mrs Kentish said: “It really is a tree paid for by the people of Barnet, for the people of Barnet. It’s a real achievement and everyone should be very proud.”

As people gathered round the tree last Friday, children from Susi Earnshaw Theatre School sang a festive rendition of Winter Wonderland.  

After lobbying from campaigners, Barnet Council has since agreed to match the amount of money spent on the tree.