The Oxford Union is selling off part of the collection from its historic library, as part of a £750,000 facelift.

Karen Price

The library, which has 100,000 books, has been part of Oxford student life since it opened at the Union, off St Michael's Street, in 1820.

But the Union says the library is falling into disrepair, and has been seriously over-stocked with books.

To make more room for future additions, librarians are selling off 10,000 volumes, at £1 a book.

Only union members will be allowed to buy the books, which will be sold on May 27 and 28.

Union president Karen Price said: "It is an awful shame to have to get rid of books, but it is necessary."