A FOUNDING member of an Oxford charity marked its humble beginnings in May 1986.

Canon Theodore Milford was one of six people who set up the anti-poverty charity Oxfam.

The charity launched after an informal meeting in the library above the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on October 5, 1942.

And Mr Milford, who was the sole surviving founder member at the time, returned to where it all began.

The Dorset resident unveiled a plaque at the High Street church to commemorate the now globally renowned charity. Mr Milton, 90, said: "It started in a very, very small way.

"As I came back up those stairs today, I was flooded with memories from the past of all things that happened here.

"It almost overcame me."

The charity was originally called the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief but later adopted the name Oxfam, which was its telex code.

Oxfam members, the Lord Mayor of Oxford Roger Dudman and the Bishop of Oxford Rt Rev Patrick Rodger gathered for a short church service before the plaque was revealed.

The plaque was made by woodcarver Racher Shorter and was given by the University of Oxford's Mansfield College.