Raymond Walters, who worked at the Oxford Union Society from the age of 14 until he retired as chief library clerk 50 years later, has died aged 88.

In his time there he met prominent figures such as the Queen, Richard Nixon, Robert Kennedy and Edward Heath.

Mr Walters was appointed a junior library clerk at the age of 14 by the then president, Michael Foot, later to become Labour party leader.

Over his half century at the Union, Mr Walters came to regard it as a second home.

His daughter Alison said: "Even after he retired he would go back in a couple of days a week on his push bike.

"He loved it there, and my sister and I used to go down and help him out."

It was 20 years before he was elevated to the position of chief library clerk, but in his 30 years in charge he oversaw the acquisition of over a third of the books in the library's collection.

He enjoyed many colourful moments in his time as a library junior, such as when a young Edward Heath's trousers caught fire and Mr Walters was on hand with a soda-syphon to put it out.

Before his retirement, Mr Walters was awarded an honorary degree by Oxford University and made a life member of the Union.

Mr Walters and his wife Joyce had two children, Alison and Susan, and spent their entire married life at their home in Raleigh Park Road, North Hinksey.

His daughter said: "He was a caring father who always thought about his family and put us first."

Mr Walters passed away in his sleep at his home on Wednesday, April 16. He is survived by his wife and daughters, three grandchildren and sister Joyce.

His funeral is being held on May 1 at the Oxford Crematorium in Bayswater Road, Barton, at 1.30pm.