Christine Lough has lived in the area for two years after moving from West Sussex. She is headteacher of South Hampstead High School s junior department and lives in Buckland Crescent. Having never lived in London before, she was pleasantly surprised by

Christine Lough has lived in the area for two years after moving from West Sussex. She is headteacher of South Hampstead High School's junior department and lives in Buckland Crescent. Having never lived in London before, she was 'pleasantly surprised' by Hampstead and soon fell in love with it.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE AREA?

There is a really friendly atmosphere. I greet people and get to know people in the area and it feels like I belong here. I always thought London would be really anonymous but there is a community feel in Hampstead which I love.

WHAT IS THE WORST THING?

I would say that the worst thing is probably the parking. I walk to work but it is very hard for the parents to park at all. Parking is a big issue for everyone around here and that is something we have struggled with as a school.

WHAT IS HAMPSTEAD'S BIGGEST EYESORE?

The Finchley Road is Hampstead's biggest eyesore. It is very near where I live and most of the buildings are quite ugly. It was the first part of Hampstead I saw when I arrived in London and I thought it was all going to be fairly uninviting but Hampstead itself is very attractive.

WHICH SHOP IN HAMPSTEAD IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

Daunt Books. I love to read and I think it is a fantastic little shop.

do you have a FAVOURITE LOCAL RESTAURANT?

Yes, Artigiano in Belsize village - a lovely Italian place with a great atmosphere. I also like Bradleys in Swiss Cottage.

WHich local pub is your FAVOURITE?

One hundred per cent The Washington. It is an amazing pub. Every time we go, there are different characters in the pub which makes the atmosphere great and the decor is fantastic. It is lovely and my family love it - and so does the dog.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE AREA AT WEEKENDS?

We use Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill which are fantastic as well as the Swiss Cottage leisure centre, which is also great. We walk the dog on the Heath and I love it.

IF YOU WERE MAYOR FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I would love to have more cycling lanes and really gear Hampstead and London up for cycling. Joined up lanes would be great so there would be safe cycling everywhere.

IF YOU HAD A MILLION POUNDS TO SPEND IN A DAY WHAT WOULD YOU DO with it?

I would probably spend quite a lot of money getting rid of planning laws and building a perfect school for my perfect girls.

IF YOU HAD TO TWIN HAMPSTEAD WITH ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD THAT BE AND WHY?

It would be somewhere like Florence because on a cultural level it matches Hampstead. The feeling of being able to wander around in both places is fantastic and both have lovely surroundings.