Saudi prince gives £2m to museum

The Ashmolean was founded by Oxford University in 1683

The oldest public museum in Britain, Oxford University's Ashmolean, has been given a £2m donation by a Saudi prince.

The money from HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, will pay for a new Saudi and Islamic gallery to be created at the museum.

It will also help fund scholarships for Saudi students at Oxford University.

Prince Sultan, Saudi Arabia's second deputy premier and minister of defence and aviation, was presenting a cheque to the university on Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony Prince Sultan said: "My hope is that the Saudi/Islamic Gallery that will be created will further promote the understanding and appreciation of Islamic art within the UK.

"I am also very pleased that the new student scholarship scheme will enable ten Saudi students to study at Oxford.

"It will be an honour for these young people to attend this ancient seat of learning, amongst other students from around the world."

The Ashmolean opened in 1683 when Elias Ashmole presented Oxford University with his collection of antiquities.