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A forgetful writer has returned a library book – more than 50 years after borrowing it as a schoolboy.

David Black, 60, took out a work on the artist Goya, by Dr Xavier de Salas, on September 22, 1962.

He said: “I completely forgot to return it. It would pop up every now and again but each time it would slip my mind to actually do it.”

But he finally handed it over during a fees amnesty allowing overdue books to be returned without fines – sparing him the £2762.55 he had racked up.

Arts correspondent Mr Black said: “When I read about the amnesty I decided I must do it, if only to see the librarian’s face.

“I’ve been a keen library user all my life, they are a great resource. It feels good to have brought it back. I can sleep more soundly.”

David returned it to the Fine Art Library in Edinburgh where more than 4,000 books were taken back during the amnesty across the city, introduced to tempt back former members.

A copy of the Victorian miscellany Good Words for 1888 was returned after 123 years in December 2011 in Troutbeck, Cumbria.