President Bill Clinton is planning to set up home in Oxfordshire when he leaves the White House.

The US leader has been househunting and British Special Branch officers are preparing feasibility reports on a number of properties.

The former Rhodes Scholar, who hopes to become a visiting professor at Oxford University, is thought to be focusing his attention on the picturesque village of Glympton, near Woodstock.

The President has been invited explore the area by long-serving Saudi Arabian ambassador to Washington, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, who owns the Glympton estate which includes 21 properties.

It is understood one of these could be made available to Mr Clinton on a three-year lease. The estate is heavily fortified and Glympton House, renovated and used by Prince Bandar, has been designed to withstand bombs, has bullet-proof glass and ramps in the drive to frustrate car bombers. The Clintons are due to quit the White House in seven months' time.

A spokesman for the University, where Mr Clinton studied philosophy and economics at University College from 1968 to 1970, said: "It is a logical extension of his expressed interest. President Clinton has a very high profile and would certainly be welcomed back."

It is understood Mr Clinton would spend a number of months in the UK, keeping homes in New York and Arkansas.

His wife, Hillary who is pursuing her own political career, will not accompany him.

Because of the security implications, he has asked the British Government for help in assessing the risks. Tony Blair is understood to support the move.

Thames Valley Special Branch officers are examining the security implications. Police spokesman Guy Bailey said: "Any visiting dignitary will receive the level of protection afforded to them by their position."

Officers will look at how well Mr Clinton can be protected, whether roads can be sealed off and whether helicopters can land nearby.