Ron Webster and librarian Phil Sykes (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)

A 91-year-old was left with a £4,500 bill when he returned a library book more than 60 years late.

Ron Webster borrowed Professor AR Radcliffe-Brown’s Structure and Function in Primitive Society (yawn) whilst working as a research assistant at Liverpool University in 1953.

But he didn’t keep it for 61 years because it took him that long to wade through the turgid literature.

Mr Webster held on to it when he was invited to London to continue his research.

Over time it got buried under his immense collection – only to resurface when encouraged to reduce the number of books he owned.

It was then he realised he was facing a mammoth fine.

Knowing full well the fate which lay ahead, he held his hands up and brought the book back on a trip to the city with son-in-law Rick Walker.

The £4,510 total was calculated on the basis of the current charge of 20p per day for late return of books.

University librarian Phil Sykes said staff were amazed when the duo presented the long-lost book.

‘They called me and said “you’ve got to come down – there’s a gentleman trying to return a book he took out in 1953”.

‘When I came down they were having a cup of tea and a chat and I said “I believe I’ve got a disciplinary issue to deal with”. We had about an hour talking about it.’

Mr Sykes kindly decided to waive the fine.