Sheep shearing, morris dancers and colourful bunting brought a slice of the countryside to Highgate on Saturday at this year’s Fair in the Square.

Thousands spilled into the village for the annual family festival, which organisers called the busiest and best ever.

Actor Jude Law was spotted amongst the crowds relaxing in the sunshine in Pond Square as he watched performances from singers, dancers and musicians on the fair’s main stage in Pond Square.

A new global food court grouping all the hot food stalls together in one corner of South Grove went down a storm with visitors, with many saying how much easier it was to find exactly what they wanted to eat this year.

Veronica Day, chair of the festival’s organising committee, said: “It was all very quaint and very English but everyone really enjoyed it. “We worked so hard as a team and it was a huge benefit for the community as it brings everyone together for one day.”

It is thought the fun-packed fair and Saturday’s sunshine brought more than 7,000 people to the village.

The popular dancing sheep show returned this year with shearer Ginger Sutton demonstrating the perfect technique before getting the animals to strut to disco music in front of St Michael’s Church in South Grove.

A country fair showed off home-made cakes, flower arrangements and crafts while traditional Morris dancers only added to the rural feel of the day.

Rebecca Ryan, 23, travelled from Berkshire to visit the fair. The fundraiser said: “It is like a bit of the countryside in the middle of London.”

Music filled the air as dozens of local children and adults took to the Pond Square stage, including Channing School’s choir, Hornsey School for Girls’ Steel Band, adult choir Singing in London, Highgate Primary School-based Loop Academy and 15-year-old singer-songwriter Joss Littler.

Retired physiotherapist Ann Knowlden, 74, of Southwood Lawn Road, said: “It has just got bigger and better every year. I’ve seen a lot of people I haven’t seen for ages and it’s a very good community thing.”

Mrs Day is appealing for more volunteers to help begin organising next year’s Fair in the Square. Visit fairinthesquare.org.uk to get in touch.

See dozens of photos of stilt walkers, performers and more besides in our picture gallery to the right.