HIS designs on the way in to the city have welcomed millions of people to Oxford for more than 20 years.

But with 'Welcome to the City of Oxford' signs being replaced with new models promoting the city as cycle-friendly, Julian Ward, who dreamt up the originals, would like to get his hands on one.

Mr Ward, who lost his hearing after contracting meningitis when he was eight weeks old, told the Oxford Mail designing the signs was one of the proudest jobs he ever had.

The 44-year-old from Cowley added: "I worked for a graphic design company and I was asked to design the iconic blue and yellow 'welcome to Oxford' signs.

"I loved the job, I really enjoyed it.

"I'm very proud of it. I would love to acquire one of the original signs that I designed.

"The thought of them just being destroyed is heartbreaking as it means such a lot to me."

Mr Ward, who cannot work due to other health conditions he suffers from, said he designed the signs in the early 1990s, adding the blue and yellow paid tribute to his favourite football team Oxford United.

Millions of drivers will have passed the signs, which stood along the side of the road on a number of key routes into the city, but never known Mr Ward as the creator behind them.

Oxford City Council spokesman Chofamba Sithole said: "Elements of redundant signs that are suitable for recycling are duly recycled via the relevant streams."