A cartoonist’s novel way of escaping eviction has paid off after the housing association who wanted him to leave his home had a “change of heart”.

Brian Davis faced being forced out of his East Finchley flat after accumulating £2,000 in rent arrears. But his landlord Westlon Housing Association has decided he can stay after he managed to raise the money by selling a book of his own cartoons.

Mr Davis said: “I am just so thankful they realised the effort I went to in order to raise what I needed to pay them back.”

The housing association made the decision at a hearing at Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre last month. “They didn’t have to let me stay. They actually turned out to be very kind,” Mr Davis said.

Westlon Housing Association, which offers sheltered housing to single people or couples aged over 55 from the Jewish community, confirmed it was allowing Mr Davis to remain in his flat as long as he kept up his rent payments.

Mr Davis raised money for his rent by selling his book Angel Delights at local stalls and at his synagogue, the New North London.

He said: “People in the community have been so supportive. I’ve been booked to draw cartoons at shul for Purim and people have been getting in touch with me with more work. It feels like a huge weight off my shoulders.”