VALUABLE local books belonging to Elizabeth College were withdrawn from a UK auction three hours before it was due to start.

The Guernsey Press understands that the decision was prompted by complaints from islanders due to the collection’s historic significance.

Books, sketches and watercolours from the historic Le Marchant Library were shipped to the UK to be auctioned at Gorringes’ Lewes auction house.

Bursar John Willis said that following local interest in the items, it had been considered prudent to delay the sale pending further discussions.

Its legality was also questioned after the will of Lt-Bailiff Eleazar Le Marchant, who bequeathed the collection to the college in 1832, was examined.

Mr Willis said that a large number of benefactors had donated books over the years. The Gorringes catalogue included a total of 101 lots, each containing several books, with an estimated total value of about £10,000.

Items of greater value, including the drawings, which were due to be sold by Sotheby’s, have also been withdrawn.

Mr Willis would not comment on how much it had cost the college to withdraw the items at such short notice. Standard terms are understood to be in the region of 10% of the lower estimate.

Mr Willis would also not comment on whether the college had been put under pressure by anyone to withdraw the books, but said the board of directors, which include Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Trott, had ‘responded to local representations’.