THE man behind Oxfordshire’s iconic wickerman is asking schoolchildren to come up with designs for this year’s creation.

Artist Dan Barton wants youngsters of all ages to come up with ideas for the 40ft by 8ft sculpture, to be burned at Oxford’s annual South Park fireworks display.

He is looking for two ideas, for the outer straw creation, and an inner metal design which will be revealed when the straw burns away.

He will then make the towering figure, which will be burned in front of 20,000 onlookers at Oxford Round Table’s bonfire display on November 5.

The event is expected to raise up to £30,000 for local good causes.

Last year, thousands stood in awe as 36ft Zedlock, designed by 10-year-old Stanford-in-the-Vale Primary School pupil Reuben Morris-Dyer, went up in flames.

Mr Barton, from Fyfield Wick, near Abingdon, said: “This year we are really trying to push the idea out across the country and get people interested in designing their own wickerman.

“The pleasure it brings to people when they see it is fantastic.

“We feel it really fits in with David Cameron’s Big Society concept. We have taken an idea and run with it; it’s quite exciting.”

It is the fourth year Mr Barton is seeking designs for a wickerman for the firework display.

The finished figure will be taken on tour around the county between May and October to raise awareness and funding for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre.

The charity is hoping to raise £3m for a purpose-built centre at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford to offer information and emotional and psychological support for cancer patients and their families.

Venues pencilled in include Aston Rowant nature reserve, near Watlington, where 20, 12ft-tall willow Viking sculptures are expected to join the wickerman.

Mr Barton said: “It should be quite a sight and will be seen from the M40.

“We are also hoping to put it on top of the mound at Oxford Castle for a few days.”

The sculpture will be moved in a trailer by Cowley Air Cadets.

Mr Barton is now looking for sponsors and financial support.

*Designers of school age, should send entries to Wickerman Oxford Competition, PO Box 582, Abingdon, OX14 9FJ before March 18. For details visit wickermanoxford.co.uk.