Squatters occupying the closed Friern Barnet Library will learn their fate at the end of a county court hearing due to begin this morning.

The group gained access to the Barnet Council-owned building in September and has since helped community groups and campaigners reopen the library, in Friern Barnet Road.

The council began legal action in October to oust the activists but a county court judge decided the case warranted a full hearing.

A judge at Barnet County Court will hear arguments from both sides, including from the council, which is looking to sell the building for £400,000.

The authority closed the service in April under cost-cutting plans, despite powerful protests from support groups and campaigners.

Since taking over the library in September, the squatters and their supporters have restocked the shelves with more than 8,000 books.

Activities and workshops are being run at the centre several times a week and books are being loaned out by volunteers.

The case has been listed for two days and will begin at Barnet County Court at 10am this morning.

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