A plan to ban cars from a Hampstead street for a day has been cancelled at the last minute.

World Car Free Day is taking place across the country this Sunday (September 22), with communities closing off streets or neighbourhoods to reduce traffic and pollution.

In Hampstead, lower Heath Street was due to be closed to all traffic except buses and emergency vehicles between 11am and 4pm.

Music, dance and community displays were planned for the afternoon, but instead it will be "business as usual".

Hampstead Town Liberal Democrat councillor Linda Chung said: "We are disappointed to say that the Hampstead lower Heath Street event and road closure will not be going ahead this Sunday due to circumstances beyond our control.

"So it will be business as normal then."

She previously told the Ham&High: "The day is to celebrate clean air and the future of our children. 

"Climate change is a reality and we must all do what we can to adapt to a future without polluting fossil fuels."

The West Hampstead Amenity & Transport group is still due to hold its car free day in West End Lane on Sunday.

West End Lane will be closed to private cars and motorbikes between Lymington Road and Mill Lane between 7am and 6pm, but buses, emergency vehicles and cyclists will continue to use the road.

A series of activities will showcase community organisations as well as those aiming to help people reduce their carbon footprint.  

There will be live music, community stalls and children’s activities between 10am and 4pm, history walks at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and free tours of Emmanuel Church at 2pm and 2.30pm.

The Camden Mobile Health Bus will be there offering free health checks.

There will also be a pop up community skip from 10am to 2pm, where people can bring items that would otherwise go to Regis Road recycling centre, including electrical items, textiles including bedding, blankets, clothes, shoes, and towels and batteries.

People should bring bring proof of address and only five items or bags per person.