Fifty years after the Festival of Britain, its logo is as fresh as ever and it was created by a Golders Green designer. MATTHEW NIXSON reports:

The Festival of Britain was billed as a 'tonic to the nation' and a Golders Green designer's work came to embody its spirit.

Abram Games' red, white and blue Britannia emblem created for a competition in 1948 appeared on everything from ashtrays to posters.

Now, on the festival's 50th anniversary, Mr Games's work is celebrated in a major new exhibition.

Church Farmhouse Museum, on Greyhound Hill, Hendon, features a dazzling collection of original designs by Mr Games, many provided by his family.

Organisers Barnet Council have billed it as the world's first exhibition celebrating the festival's 50th anniversary.

The festival, organised by the post-war Labour government, was meant to give the nation a lift after the Second World War.

It ran from May to October 1951 with events mainly held on London's South Bank and attracted some ten million visitors.

Mr Games, born in the East End to Eastern European parents, became one of Britain's greatest graphic artists.

He later lived in The Vale, Golders Green, until his death in 1996 aged 82.

Among many triumphs was his appointment as official war office poster designer in 1942 after service in the Army.

But his crowning moment was his Britannia emblem, which beat off competition from 11 artists to be chosen for the festival.

Despite the fame it brought, the commission remains Crown Copyright.

"He didn't make any money out of it at all," said his daughter Naomi Games, who lives in West Hampstead.

"It's an impoverished life, an artist's.

"The person who designed the Millennium logo made a fortune but in those days I think he got 50 guineas.

"My father was delighted of course and it opened the gates for lots of other work.

"It was, as they say, a tonic to the nation but it was after the war and there wasn't a lot to look forward to."

In 1991, for the festival's 40th anniversary, Mr Games mischievously updated his logo as Prime Minister and Finchley MP Margaret Thatcher, complete with handbag.

The exhibition also gives the background to the festival, containing photographs and memorabilia from the time.

Opening it earlier this month, writer and broadcaster Sir Christopher Frayling, described Mr Games's design as one of the best-known images of the 20th century.

He used the occasion to contrast the festival with the ill-starred Millennium Dome, in which he was involved.

Sir Christopher, rector of the Royal College of Art, said the Dome had tried to mix education and pleasure, achieving neither.

The Festival of Britain, on the other hand, had kept education on the South Bank and pleasure at the nearby Battersea fun fair.

Sir Christopher added: "There are going to be many events commemorating the festival in its 50th year but this exhibition is the first to open."

The Festival of Britain 50 Years On runs until June 30 at Church Farmhouse Museum, Greyhound Hill, Hendon. Admission is free.

Telephone 020 8203 0130 for opening times.