The Friern Barnet Summer Show is something of a family affair for Claire Faldes.

Mrs Faldes' baby Romario, aged two, scooped the honours in the Baby Show this year, continuing a legacy that includes her brother Joseph, who won the event in 1987, and her other siblings Laura and Matthew, who have both been category winners in the 1980s.

Rivals beware Mrs Faldes is planning to enter her newborn twins Monica and Melissa next year.

"I was so happy for Romario because this is the last year that he could enter," said Mrs Faldes, 31, of Allum Lane, Elstree. "We entered him last year and he finished second, so it was so good to have him win it this year.

"With my brothers and sisters winning already, I guess this really keeps it in the family. It's incredible."

The Baby Show, sponsored by The Times Group, was one of the highlights of a scorching weekend at the 60th summer show, held at Friary Park in Friern Barnet.

Saturday afternoon saw the Wickford Majorettes keeping the crowd amused with a baton-twirling bonanza, performing routines to ABBA hits and well-known theme tunes. They made a return appearance later on in the day and even had their own double-decker bus.

Van Buren the magician certainly cast his own spell over the wide-eyed spectators with a series of stunning tricks shortly afterwards. Morpheus arrived at 7pm, playing their unique gipsy-classical-electronic hybrid that has won them a burgeoning reputation among Barnet music fans.

Other attractions included a dog show, a horticultural marquee and a fireworks display that brought Saturday night to a close.

August 20, 2002 17:00