An Oxford college has turned down a share of the £888,000 estate of a former fellow who bequeathed the money on the condition that the dons relocate a sundial.

All Souls College announced that it would not accept the bequest by John Simmons, an expert on sundials who wanted the ornament, to be returned to its original position.

Throughout his life, Mr Simmons, who died last year at the age of 90, insisted the college had made a dreadful mistake in moving the sundial to a different position in the quadrangle.

An Oxford University spokesman said All Souls had declined the offer and that the unspecified amount of money was thought likely to be given to the university's Bodleian Library instead.

The sundial was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and regarded as one of the most beautiful examples in the world.

Wren was himself a fellow of the college and designed the sundial in 1658. It was moved in the 1870s.

Ronald Milne, acting Bodley's Librarian, said: "If it is the case that All Souls College has declined the bequest, it looks as though the money would come to the Bodleian Library.

"We would be very pleased indeed. The money would be applied for a variety of purposes within the Bodleian including the acquisition of works in the Slavonic and East European fields.

"The gift will add to the lustre of one of the world's great libraries."