INSPECTOR Morse author Colin Dexter had a birthday surprise at an Oxford library yesterday.

Mr Dexter, who turned 85 on Tuesday, was given a book of poems and a copy of his own novel The Remorseful Day at the Oxford Oratory in Woodstock Road.

The celebration was set up by community worker Sue Snelders who introduced the Oxford author to the library’s founder Aidan Mackey, 93, for a tour. Morse visits the Oxford Oratory in the last novel.

Mr Dexter said: “I met some very nice people in the church and they gave me a book of poems.”

Sue Snelders said: “It was great to introduce two people to each other so late in life who have so much in common.

“They come from similar backgrounds and have very similar interests and ended up reciting poems together.”