Finchley's most famous tenant farmers, Chris and Jane Ower, are all set to launch their national campaign to save College Farm.

The Finchley community farm, famous for its Shire horses, was expecting a few words of support from comedian Spike Milligan yesterday, but the 81-year-old was ill with the flu and was unable to attend.

As patron of the College Farm Trust, Spike has always vigorously supported the Owers, who are trying to raise £1million to preserve the Finchley farm as a community facility. Owned by the Department of Transport, it is up for sale and will go to the highest bidder.

College Farm in Fitzalan Road is very dear to the Owers, who have been there for more than 23 years.

And residents and celebrities in the area have proved it is close to their hearts too by raising money through fundraising events and donations.

The Catcher in the Rye pub in East End Road held a successful event on Saturday night. Members of staff dressed up as '80s stars and a DJ played hit tunes from the disco decade all night.

St Luke's Church in Mountfield Road, Finchley, hosted a children's disco on Friday. A competition for the best disco diva was judged by former Hendon & Finchley Times chief reporter Jeremy Kay and the event raised £220.

The campaign office on the farm's site is now open for business and visitors will be able to look up some of its history at an exhibition. Bought in around 1868 by the former Express Dairy, the farm is steeped in history and there are photographs and some of the old-style milk bottles on show, as well as up-to-date campaign news.

For details on how to help, call the campaign office on 0181 349 3811.

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