A registrars service will extend its opening hours to 365 days of the year from Christmas.

Families will be able to record deaths every day of the year from Christmas after Barnet's registrars service, provided in partnership with Brent Council, announced it will extend its opening hours to eliminate delays on public holidays.

Cllr Dean Cohen, who requested the extended opening hours, said: "Bereavement is a deeply distressing time for everyone involved so it is important families are able to contact their registrars service easily and without delay in order to record the death.

"Providing a 365-day service will therefore benefit residents of the borough of all faiths and none and ensure one of the most difficult times in all our lives is not made more so simply by the time of year."

The new hours will be of benefit to Jewish and Islamic residents, as both require burial as soon as possible after death.

Hendon MP Matthew Offord said: "The extension of registrars’ services is something that I made an election priority in 2015 and 2017.

"After repeated representations to the government and Barnet Council, I welcome the extension to the local service which will allow people, particularly my Jewish and Muslim constituents, to register deaths and bury their loved ones as soon as possible.”

Using a local registry office will mean documents can be released on the same day, such as the green form, or certificate for burial or cremation, certificate of registration of death or a BD8.

Deaths ought to be registered within five days.