Emotions are running high as protesters continue to lobby over the closure of Friern Barnet Library.

There are 20 people staging a sit-in inside the library while another 20 are standing outside the building which has been locked since 1pm.

Supporters of Save Friern Barnet Library group and members of the public were reading books in the library and refused to leave when it closed at lunch time.

Speaking from inside the library, Sarah Howe said: “We’re trying to make the point that we don’t feel Barnet Council has taken the concerns of residents seriously.

“We’ve been campaigning for a year but they haven’t listened to us.”

The group was banned from using the toilet at one point and had to make do with a bucket shielded behind a screen.

Barnet Council has also turned off the water and electricity. After protesters gathered cash, pizzas and bottles of water were posted through a library window.

Ms Howe added: “We plan to stay here as long as it takes to get as much publicity as possible.”

Tamar Andrusier, along with her eleven-year-old twins Hannah and Oscar, presented one of the librarians with a bouquet of flowers and some chocolates.

She said: “The librarians are really close to our hearts. Tears have been shed today. It is very sad.”

A Barnet Council spokesman said: “We’ve been reviewing a possible closure time all day given the potential of a sit in.

“Given we now have several people refusing to leave the building, we have decided to close the library for the day.”