A library left flooded with rain water after thieves stole tiles from its roof has been offered a helping hand by a neighbouring church.

St John’s Church has offered to host a fundraising debate, which was due to be held at the Friern Barnet Library on Friday evening but looked set to be cancelled after the vandalism.

The 'Any Questions?' event will now go ahead in the church hall, in Friern Barnet Road, from 7.30pm.

The library's electrics were deemed unsafe after thieves stole tiles and industrial cladding on Monday night, causing flooding in parts of the building.

Trustees of the library, which has been run by volunteers since last summer after it was closed by Barnet Council in 2012, say they do not expect to reopen until at least Friday.

Keith Martin, organiser of the Any Questions? events, which are raising money for the community library through ticket sales, said he was thankful to Father Paul McLeod and the church for their help.