More than a thousand carollers braved the cold to sing their hearts out and raise £2,000 for charities.

People turned up in droves for Carols in Pond Square, in Highgate, on Wednesday, organised by the Highgate Society and accompanied by the brass ensemble at Highgate School.

Helped by more than 25 volunteers, the Highgate Society served mulled wine and festive food at its headquarters at 10A South Grove and raised £2,203.16 for two of its chosen charities.

North London Hospice will receive £948.05 and Jackson's Lane arts centre £1,255.11 for its Christmas lunch programme.

This Is Local London: Crowds singing carols in Pond Square, Highgate, under the Christmas lightsCrowds singing carols in Pond Square, Highgate, under the Christmas lights (Image: Highgate Society)

Highgate Society council member Catharine Wells, who volunteered as a marshall, said: "It was a real family event with lots of babies in buggies, young people, and an amazing number of dogs.

"The mulled wine at 10A was so popular that volunteers had to go out and buy extra bottles of best red to meet the demand."

She praised James Wilkinson of Winkworths estate agents, who organised the set-up and put-away of chairs for the oldies, which were kindly loaned by Pond Square United Reform Church.

Catherine said lots of people visited the Prince of Wales pub for hot drinks and mulled wine, and many followed on with a meal in one of the local restaurants, so it was "a real win-win" for the whole community.

This Is Local London: Highgate carols was a real family event with lots of babies in buggies, young people, and am amazing number of dogsHighgate carols was a real family event with lots of babies in buggies, young people, and am amazing number of dogs (Image: Highgate Society)

She said the evening's MC Dan Hall was "fantastic" at getting everyone engaged - "even the many dogs".

She added: "Dan Hall always asks people to raise their hands whether this is their first time, whether they are from the area or outside the area.

"It is interesting how many come from quite a distance as this is so special and well organised."

Society chair William Britain said the evening was a "great success" thanks to the hard work of volunteers, adding: "The rain cleared up just in time."