MORE than 3,000 people showed their support for local traders at the Palmers Green Shopping Festival this afternoon.

Visitors were treated to face painting, cheerleading displays, balloonists and belly dancing at the event, now in its eighth year.

The festival, in Hazelwood Lane, was funded by Enfield businesses and aimed to encourage residents to shop locally rather than in out-of-town superstores.

Costas Georgious, chairman of the Green Lanes Business Association, said: "This is a way for local retailers to say thank you to local people, and to work with local schools to promote high street businesses.

"When we started promoting this event before Christmas there were 24 empty shops on the high street, but now there are only 14, so things are improving.

"It's a tough time, but hopefully if we work together we can all get through it."

Children entertained themselves on a merry-go-round and bouncy castle, while stall vendors offered jewellery, food, beauty products and henna tattoos at bargain prices.

Linda Raichura, owner of Video Fair in Green Lanes, was selling home-made cookies and greetings cards.

She said: "There are lots of retailers struggling in the area.

"My husband and I closed our business last September as the economy started to go down, but we've recently opened again just down the road.

"We love Palmers Green and would like to encourage more people to come here to shop.

"This event seems to be a big hit. There are definitely more people here this year than last year."

Robert Stephens, 57, from Lodge Drive, said the event was an effective way of making residents "feel like a proper community".

"It's a lot of fun," he added. "And the free entertainment is great."