A mini affordable art fair raising vital funds for Hampstead’s community library got off to a shaky start when visitors turned up to find that the gates were locked.

Eager art buyers trying to enter the second annual art fair at Keats Community Library, in Keats Grove, had to queue outside after a misunderstanding meant that the gates were still locked at 10am on Saturday, when the fair was due to start.

But despite the initial hiccup, organisers raised more than £4,000 from sales of works by 12 local artists.

Pupils from Hampstead School of Art, in Kidderpore Avenue, also donated 15 pieces of art to sell at the fair, which was free to enter.

All the pieces were on sale for less than £1,000, with prices starting at £40.

Library trustee Vicky Bobasch, of Keats Grove, said: “The fair was fantastic. We thought it would be nice this year to open it up to local artists. The quality of the work was really high.”