In November, after months of back and forth, a betting shop was prevented from being built in Colindale.

Campaigners were celebrating after a decision grant permission to a Paddy Power betting shop was quashed.

The decision was refused in September, but in a subsequent meeting of Barnet Council's planning committee, the committee could not agree on the reasons for its refusal, which ultimately gave the application permission to go ahead.

Campaigners and Andrew Dismore AM called for the permission to be overturned as the make-up of the two committees were different, meaning the second group of councillors had not heard presentations against the betting shop.

The council's chief executive, John Hooton, overturned the decision and ultimately the betting shop was refused permission.

Colindale Village Residents' Association secretary Paul Chu said: "Our community is galvanised and united more than ever before and we will continue to protect our children and vulnerable people from unwanted betting shops on our doorstep."