Squatters in Friern Barnet Library will appear in court next week to defend their occupation of the facility.

A county court judge last month gave the group a stay of execution by adjourning the initial hearing for three weeks to allow the group to present their case.

Barnet Council had applied for an eviction notice but the judge will hear the activists’ arguments at Barnet County Court on Wednesday, October 10.

The group broke in to the Friern Barnet Road building on September 4 and has since opened a community library at the popular facility.

Barnet Council closed the building in April and is looking to sell it off for £400,000.