Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown 'most donated' to Oxfam

Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code became an international best-seller

Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown's books topped the list of most donated to Oxfam shops, the charity has said.

The US writer has now taken the dubious accolade for three years in a row, ahead of Ian Rankin and Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson in the latest list.

But Brown was third in the list of best-selling authors at the charity shop chain, up from 10th in 2010.

Stieg Larsson, Swedish writer of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was Oxfam's best-selling writer.

He finished ahead of Sophie Kinsella, Brown and Stephenie Meyer, while JK Rowling was the sixth best-seller.

Mills and Boon romantic fiction titles and Joanna Trollope scored new entries at seven and eight.

Ian Rankin, who was the best seller last year, fell outside the top 10.

Twilight author Meyer finished fourth in the list of most donated authors, with Irish best-seller Maeve Binchy and racy writer Jackie Collins making the list for the first time.

Trollope, best known for titles including A Village Affair and The Rector's Wife, said she was "very gratified" to make the list and praised Oxfam for the "careful condition of its books and huge range of its titles".

The charity's new lists were announced as part of Bookfest, which runs until 17 July and features events at Oxfam shops around the UK including book signings and auctions.