THE city councillor who first suggested naming a ward after Oxford's running hero Sir Roger Bannister has said he has been sent 'hate mail'.

Green councillor Craig Simmons said he supported renaming an expanded St Mary's ward – which he currently represents – to Bannister ward.

It currently includes the Iffley Road running track and it was there that Sir Roger became the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes in May 1954.

Mr Simmons said people had thought he had asked for the St Clement's ward, which borders his ward, to be renamed Bannister.

But he said he opposed that move and that it had been suggested by the city council's ruling Labour group instead.

He added: "I did suggest the renaming of an expanded St. Mary's ward in honour of Oxford athlete and neurologist Sir Roger Bannister, who sadly died earlier this year.

"But the city's council's Labour group decided instead to rename St. Clement's Ward – a suggestion I opposed.

"St Clement's is a long established community that extends from The Plain east along St. Clement's Street and north of the Cowley Road. I can see why residents are angry that this name might disappear – but they need to target those responsible for this and express their opposition to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England."

A consultation ended on Monday, ahead of a final report published in October.