Christmas was cancelled at a Finchley Tesco store because of poor sales revenue, according to Between the lines sources... and then reinstated after rumours were leaked.

Staff at the supermarket in Ballards Lane were apparently called into a meeting last week to be told there would be no Christmas party because the smoking ban had affected takings in the store café, a portion of which is normally reserved to fund social events.

Our insider said: "Everyone was told there would be no party this year. It's quite incredible, with their profit margin, that workers should be the ones missing out."

A shop security guard, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed the tip-off. "There normally is a party, but not this year. We were told there's not enough money because of the smoking ban keeping people away from the cafe."

With a twinkle in his eye, he then cryptically announced that there was "more to it than that", before shying away and crying: "No no, I can't say anymore - I'm meant to be a Tesco representative."

Intrigued, we rang the store. Apparently they are celebrating Christmas... but just a bit later than everyone else. "It's definitely going ahead in January," we were told. "It's just been postponed because the manager in charge has only been on for a couple of weeks and hasn't gotten around to booking it yet."

But Tesco head office had a different take. Apparently, the party is "always" in January because Christ-mas is the busiest time of the year.