A TREASURE trove of valuable art is on offer in a giant jumble sale at the former home of a distinguished Oxford professor.

Bargain-hunters have been flocking to 2 Paddox Close, north Oxford, where Laura Harris is selling a range of goods for charity.

The 60-year-old grew up in the house with her dad Roy Harris, a respected ex-professor of general linguistics at Oxford University, and mum Rita, a former treasurer at St Hilda's College.

She has lived in Australia for more than three decades, but after both parents died in the last few years Ms Harris felt it was time to clear out the building.

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The couple were art collectors with 'really good taste', according to Ms Harris, and owned several valuable items, including prints by Pablo Picasso.

The most expensive pieces of art have been auctioned off, but the former Oxford High School pupil will still donate proceeds from the jumble sale to environmental charities.

She said: "Most of the really special stuff has gone to auction, but we're looking to find new homes for all of it.

"I'm trying to make it a 'win, win, win situation', where I get rid of the stuff, people can buy things they enjoy and money goes to causes I feel strongly about."

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Homelessness charity Emmaus Oxford will pick up the final items from the house once the jumble sale, which started yesterday, is over.

With the help of long-term friend Bharti Cayzer, Ms Harris's quirky idea has received plenty of interest from residents.

They are expecting the jumble sale to continue throughout next week and will be opening their doors from roughly 3pm to 7pm on weekdays.