MORE than 30 designs by members of public for a new 'swift tower' in Oxford's University Parks have gone on display.

The exhibition at Oxford Town Hall gallery aims to celebrate the creativity of city nature lovers.

The RSPB launched its competition on May 6 to find a design for a new Swift Tower to be built in Oxford.

A panel of judges selected a shortlist of three and the public were asked to cast their votes for the design they would most like to see built.

A public vote chose Jonathan Wheeler from Lower Radley as the winner and his design, pictured left, will be built by the University of Oxford in University Parks, subject to planning approval and consultation.

A Swift Tower is a free-standing structure with of boxes for swifts to build their nests in.

As traditional nesting sites in buildings are being lost, it is important to replace them and help stop the further decline of swifts.

The competition was part of Oxford Swift City, a two-year project to improve the outlook for swifts in Oxford, made possible by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Oxford Swift City project officer Lucy Hyde said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible creativity of all those who submitted designs to the competition, and an ideal opportunity for people to learn more about the Swift City project."

The exhibition runs until January 2.