The long-established links between the diocese and the University of Winchester have been further strengthened by the arrival of the Thorold and Lyttelton Library at the King Alfred Campus.

Vice-chancellor, Professor Paul Light and the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, hosted a reception to mark the transfer of the 9,000 volumes from Church House to the University Library.

Among the guests were a former Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Colin James and the Very Revd Trevor Beeson, who served as Dean of the Cathedral for nearly nine years.

The collection is named after two bishops. In 1895 the Rt Revd Anthony Wilson Thorold, Bishop of Winchester, bequeathed his library "for the use of any clergy school which may be founded for or in connection with the Diocese of Winchester". In 1903 the Rt Revd Arthur Temple Lyttelton, Suffragan Bishop of Southampton, made a similar bequest.

The two collections were amalgamated to form one library which was opened in 1906, making 2006, the centenary. In 1937, the bequest of William Lockton was added and many others have been made over the years.

The oldest and most valuable books in the collection are now housed in the cathedral librar, including two volumes of Erasmus' paraphrasing of the New Testament, dating from 1524.

Guests admired some of the other volumes, including Walker's Suffering of the Clergy published 1714, which told of the harassment and dangers they faced during the Commonwealth 1649-1660. This had been donated by Archdeacon Fearon, a headmaster of Winchester College.

More recent books, including biblical commentaries and works on current liturgical developments, are still housed in the Resource Room at Church House.

The Thorold and Lyttelton Library provides a resource for ordained and lay members of the diocese, and the university was keen to help the diocese ensure that they would continue to have access.

Additional benefits are that users can consult the university's own collections of theology and religious studies works, and staff and students studying in those areas can use the Thorold and Lyttelton volumes.

"For me, the most significant aspect of the rehousing of the library is that it underlines the diocesan foundation of King Alfred's College, now the university" said Prof Light.

"We are conscious of our continuing association with the Diocese of Winchester and keen to build it into the continuing and developing work of the university. The Thorold and Lyttelton offers one small token of this."