If Heathman has learned one fact in recent weeks, it is this: the people of Hampstead love their crêpes.

And it seems they may even care more about the Gallic pancakes than fire stations or local politics.

A petition to save La Crêperie De Hampstead, which has been in Hampstead High Street for 33 years, flew beyond 3,000 signatures this week and now stands at more than 3,200.

That is nearly 1,000 more than responded to a London-wide consultation on closing 12 fire stations including Belsize, which drew 2,323 responses.

It also attracted more interest than the last Hampstead Town by-election, won by Cllr Simon Marcus in September 2012, when 2,462 votes were cast.

Crêperie owner Edward de Mesquita told Heathman: “I can’t keep up with it. People are stopping in their cars to sign the petition.

“I’m a little bit emotional. About three months ago I was actually quite despondent – I didn’t know if I could keep it up.

“But it’s not about me anymore – it’s about the thousands of people who want to keep it going.”