A rare map of Middle-earth will be on display for one day only in an Oxford library to the delight of Tolkien fans.

The map, annotated by JRR Tolkien author of the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy and 'The Hobbit', will be on display at the Bodleian's Weston Library on Thursday, June 23.

Visitors will be able to see Tolkien's copious notes and markings on the map, which reveal his vision of the creatures, topography and heraldry of his fantasy world.

The map had been unseen for decades until October last year when Blackwell's Rare Books in Oxford offered it for sale.

Previously it belonged to acclaimed illustrator, Pauline Baynes - the only artist approved by Tolkien to illustrate his works during his lifetime.

The map is a working document that both author and illustrator annotated in 1969 when Baynes was commissioned to produce a poster map of Middle-earth.

Elaine Bible, PR and communications officer at the Bodleian Libraries, said: "At the time, 'The Lord of the Rings' had never been illustrated so Tolkien was keen to ensure that Middle-earth was accurately depicted.

"His copious annotations can be seen in green ink or pencil on the map, most notably his comments equating key places in Middle-earth with real world cities, for example that ‘Hobbiton is assumed to be approx. at [the] latitude of Oxford.’

"He also specified the colours of the ships to be painted on the poster map and the designs on their sails as well as notes about where animals should appear, writing ‘Elephants appear in the Great battle outside Minas Tirith.’"

The document has joined the Bodleian's Tolkien archive, which is the largest collection of Tolkien manuscripts in the world.

It will be on display from 9.30am to 5pm.