Raymond Scott, 51, of Wigeon Close, Ayton, was caught up in an international FBI investigation in June last year when he was arrested on suspicion of taking a 1623 folio from Durham University in 1998.

An worldwide hunt was sparked when the book, worth millions of pounds, turned up at the world-renowned Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC.

A man, claiming to be an international businessman who had bought the 400-year-old book in Cuba, asked library staff to verify it was genuine.
Experts suspected it was stolen and called in the British Embassy, Durham Police and FBI to trace the book's owner.

Two week later, Scott, who has described himself as an eccentric playboy, was arrested.

Scott, who lives with his 80-year-old mum at her Washignton home, has always denied the theft.

A Durham Police spokesman said today: "Shortly before midday yesterday, a 51-year-old man was charged with the theft of a £3 million book taken from Durham University more than 10 years ago."

Scott was charged after answering bail at Durham City police station.

He will also face an alternative charge of handling stolen goods.

Police also charged Scott with four other offences - two of handling stolen goods and two of theft - relating to a driving licence, credit cards and a personal organiser found when police searched his home last year.

The folio, which has been described as the most important book in the English language, came back to Britain in October.

Printed in 1623, the folio - wide paged book - was stolen in 1998 from the university library at Palace Green.

The first folio was acquired by John Cosin, former Bishop of Durham, and was part of the library he set up in Durham in 1669.

Scott will appear before North Durham magistrates on February 10.