THE grand launch of Barnet Green Party's campaign in their target area of East Finchley was cut short yesterday by a freak snowstorm.

However, the three prospective council members used the flurry to point out the need for a change in the way the council helps people manage their carbon footprint.

The party has decided to target the East Finchley council seats, as they have been traditionally a strong ground of support for them.

Candidate Noel Lynch, who used to run a shop in the High Street and has also represented the party on the Greater London Assembly, said he was hopeful they could win some seats at the election on May 6.

He said: “This has been our best ward in previous years, and I polled 700 votes at the last elections in 2006 here. We will be contesting every other ward seat but East Finchley is our target.

“A lot of people are now aware of green issues, but Barnet Council don't seem to do much about them.

“Barnet has the most green space of any London Borough, but has the largest carbon footprint per household, so it's clear there is a need for green policies here.”

Mr Lynch, 63, said one of the things the party wants to see is a 20 mile-per-hour speed limit introduced on residential streets.

He added: “It not only cuts emissions but also reduces the number of injuries on the roads and surrounding roads as well.

“As well as that it encourages cycling and things like children walking to school as they are less likely to feel comfortable doing that if there are cars rushing past them.”

Mr Lynch will be standing alongside Steve Norman and Andrew Newby. All three were collecting signatures for a petition for a bus link between Finchley and the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.

Mr Newby, a freelance financial journalist, said it is no longer the case a green lifestyle could only be adopted by the wealthy who can afford it.

He added: “From the feeling we get the local people very much agree with the issues we're campaigning on as they are local issues.

“We thought the recession might be a problem but actually it's turning out to be the opposite. They realise that by embracing things like insulating their homes more effectively and cutting the use of their cars they can save money.”