An Oxford college Fellow has left almost all his estate - worth £1.1m - to the Ashmolean Museum.

Brian Miller, who was made a Fellow of Brasenose College in 1979, loved art and was a regular visitor to the museum.

The donation by Mr Miller, who was an Oxford University lecturer between 1953 and 1992, has delighted the museum.

Mr Miller, who died in August, requested that the museum split the estate between its departments of western and eastern art.

Museum's administrator Roger Hobby said Mr Miller had been a member of the Friends of the Ashmolean and would be sorely missed.

He added: "He could be seen here most Sunday afternoons looking at the western arts collection.

"His death was a great blow to all of us who knew him. He very generously left virtually all his estate to the museum.

"It was certainly a surprise to me. It is hugely important to the museum."

The proceeds have helped to create a trainee post in the museum's print room.

Various works of art have also been bought, including a painting, The Nile, by 19th century French painter Jean Leon Gerome.

The painting will be dedicated to Mr Miller and take pride of place in the Hindley Smith gallery.

Last week, more than 300 items of furniture which had filled Mr Miller's house in Bradmore Road, north Oxford, were sold at Phillips auctioneers in Park End Street, raising nearly £50,000.