Scholar's book sales for children

The library of a classical scholar is being auctioned in Dorset to raise money for disabled children. Duke's auctioneers in Dorchester said funds from Dr David Vessey's 8,000-book collection will help to start the charity Advocates for Children.

It will give advice, support and legal representation to children with physical and learning disabilities, aged between four and 16. The collection include works dated as early as 1838. Advocates for Children is the brainchild of Dr Vessey's widow and barrister Gloria Vessey, who has spent years volunteering her legal expertise to help children and their parents.

She said she could not take on all the children who needed help and decided to create the charity. The auction includes a first edition of The Good Apprentice by Iris Murdoch and a letter to Dr Vessey, estimated to fetch around £120.

A spokesman for the auctioneer said: "It was Dr Vessey's last wish that his beloved books that had given him so much joy all his life should be auctioned to raise money for the establishment of this charity."

He gained a PhD at St Catharine's College, Cambridge, went on to become a classical scholar and was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.