A POLITICIAN who bid to rival Donald Trump in the US election will visit Oxford for a book launch.

American senator Bernie Sanders will speak at the Sheldonian Theatre to promote a book he penned about his presidential campaign. 

Mr Sanders campaigned to become the Democratic party's candidate for last year's election, before the title was claimed by Hillary Clinton. 

He is no stranger to Oxford, as his brother Larry Sanders lives in the east of the city.

He will speak at the Broad Street venue on Friday, June 2.

The 2.30pm talk is titled A Future to Believe in and will cost £15.

It forms part of a wider event called Hay Festival; a literary event largely based in Wales.

Festival director Peter Florence said the talk would be particularly interesting given the 'intriguing' votes for Brexit and Trump over the past year. 

He said: "What we hope from Bernie is that he’ll galvanize young people like he did in America. The way he’s working to interrogate every stupid bill in the Senate is heroic and essential. He’s a model opposition leader."

Waterstones in Oxford will be selling the books after Mr Sanders' talk.

For tickets visit hayfestival.org or call 01497 822 629.