An Orthodox partnership minyan - where women can read from the Torah and lead certain parts of the service - has begun in a third location in London.

Around 100 men, women and children attended the Golders Green partnership minyan, which took place at the Jewish Vegetarian Society last Shabbat morning.

It follows the establishment of similar ventures in Elstree a year ago and in Hampstead.

"It was lovely," said one participant who did not wish to be named, "It was spirited, meaningful and reflective and gave women an opportunity to participate in a way they are currently unable to elsewhere.

"A large number of the people there were in their 20s and 30s and there was a children's service, which was sweet."

Some of those involved came from the local Golders Green United Synagogue but the participant stressed the minyan was not a breakaway move.

"It's an alternative option. I think it will always be marginal but that doesn't mean it isn't valid," she said.

Partnership minyans are independently organised. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has said they cannot be held in synagogues under his authority.

Such are the sensitivities that the organisers of the Golders Green minyan did not wish to comment. But it is understood that they hope to meet every few weeks. A notice posted on their Facebook page before the event said that they hoped to have "at least 10 men and ten women to start davening".

Partnership minyans are not fully egalitarian, unlike Progressive services for example, and men and women sit separately. But women are able to officiate in certain places and can be called to and read from the Torah.

They follow the religious guidance of such Orthodox scholars as Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber, the Hasmonean School-educated Talmudist from Israel's Bar Ilan University.

Jacqui Zinkin, a member of Golders Green and a United Synagogue trustee, who did not attend the partnership minyan, said there was "a lot of interest. People are going, particularly those more educated Jewishly, who feel they have an understanding of halachah."

She added: "Whether they will die a death or find a niche market, I don't know. Our daughters and granddaughters will make that decision. I can't see them being mainstream now."