DURING the past 12 years, volunteers at the Oxfam bookshop in Thame have sold more than 500,000 books, and tens of thousands of CDs and DVDs.

Now, sales are about to pass the £2m mark.

Manager of the Cornmarket store Dick Jennens said staff were expecting total takings over the 12 years to hit £2m next week.

The shop opened in December 2000 and now has about 70 volunteers.

Mr Jennens said: “The customer who buys something taking us over the £2m sales mark is expected to come in next week. To celebrate we are selling two books featuring the Spread Eagle Hotel in Thame, and the hotel will provide tea for two for the customer who makes the purchase that achieves the £2m figure.

“There are about 140 specialist Oxfam shops and we rank about 15th in terms of turnover — I think we punch well above our weight.”

The Local by Maurice Gorham and illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, published in 1939, is being sold for £550.

An Innkeeper’s Diary by John Fothergill, illustrated by Annie Newnham, which also features the hotel, is being sold for £50.

Mr Jennens added: “Money raised at the moment makes a big difference to refugees from the conflict in Syria.”