A CARTOON-crazy collector who admits to "never really growing out" of his unusual passion will exhibit his dearest doodles.

Stephen Head, 65, will display 104 of his favourite cartoons at Wallingford Museum.

The Cholsey resident, who has collected cartoons online for the past 10 years, said: "It's quite exciting to see it all come together.

"I've been putting it together for the past 10 years - you buy one, think 'that's nice' and it starts getting silly. I got really interested in the history of cartoons themselves – you can learn a lot about the political issues of the time.

"It's quite unusual but I've always loved them. When I was a kid I used to get a Giles annual, who was one of the best cartoonists of the 20th century. That got me started, and like all kids I loved the Beano and the Dandy – I've never really grown out of it."

Most of the cartoons, both prints and originals, are by post-war artists with other gems from the collection dating back to 1489.

He said though some drawings today are controversial, they don't compare to the 'golden age' of cartoons in the 19th century when artists "got away with blue murder".

He struggled to pick a favourite but said a modern Dave Brown cartoon of David Cameron was among the funniest.

Mr Head, whose other passion is gardening, said: "Some of the invigilators came round for a quick look and they were practically wetting themselves. You come to see the cartoons for a good laugh and particularly if you have an interest in history."

The exhibition opens today and runs until November.