ARTIST Sheila Mackie was startled to learn that one of her works was to be sold at auction. For she had donated the painting to a children's library back in 1957.

Mrs Mackie, who read of its impending sale in The Northern Echo, was last night relieved to learn that Newcastle auctioneers Anderson and Garland had agreed to withdraw it. The painting - submitted for auction by Northumberland County Council - was one of three circus scenes, given to Chester-le-Street library.

The 72-year-old, one of the North's best-known artists, was born in Chester-le-Street and lives near Shotley Bridge.

She said: "I'm disenchanted with the whole thing. I did it for the children of my home town and they haven't got it any more. The two better ones have disappeared."

The auctioneers withdrew the picture after learning that Durham County Council wanted it for an exhibition. An art dealer also advised them it was worth much more than the few hundred pounds estimated.

Patrick Conway, Durham County Council's director of arts, libraries and museums, said he had been unable to discover how the painting ended up in the hands of Northumberland County Council.

No one from Northumberland County Council was available for comment