MORE than 4,000 people visited the 15th Windsor Contemporary Art Fair over the weekend.

The event has now become a vital annual part of the Windsor calendar, staged at the racecourse in Maidenhead Road.

More than 5,000 pieces of art from 160 artists were on view as printmakers, photographers, sculptors and painters displayed their efforts - and enthusiastic collectors reached into their pockets to buy items that particularly caught their fancy.

As organiser Deborah James said: "The mission of Contemporary Art Fairs is to bring real people and real artists face to face in one place for a real and absorbing art experience."

This time they also got to meet TV's Bargain Hunt expert Thomas Forrester and his team and were able to have their own precious items evaluated.

The Prince's Trust was the only charity fundraising at the event and miniature canvasses donated to it by supporters raised £5,000. The charity has a strong Windsor connection, having been founded by Prince Charles in 1976 to help vulnerable young people get their lives on track.

Deborah James said: "I'm really happy with this year's event. We had 4,000 visitors which was an increase on last year and sales of artists' work was up too.

"Having Thomas Forrester to evaluate peoples' own items brought an extra element to it all."