CHURCHGOERS across Barnet sang festive favourites as they helped smash a world record yesterday.

Parishioners at Barnet United Reformed Church in Wood Street and Burnt Oak Christian Fellowship in Oakleigh Avenue, Edgware were amongst more than 17,000 people across the UK who helped break the record for the largest number of people singing carols at the same time.

Around 240 carollers at Barnet Reformed Church sang classic carols including Silent Night and Away in a Manger.

Reverend Sue McKenzie said: “It was a fun thing to do and that was the main reason we did it. But I think it was a good idea for people to come to church and enjoy being there, being with lots of other people, and hearing the Christmas story at the same time.”

Around 85 people joined in the attempt at Burnt Oak Christian Fellowship. Youth worker Marcus Ottaviani said: “We also invited people in the community and so we met a lot of new people. It was nice to bring everyone together.”

The Premier Christian Radio initiative aimed to recruit more than 15,000 people to join in 15 minutes of carolling at 7pm. The previous record of 15,000 carollers was set in 2009 by Disney.