DROVES of prospective tenants have signed up for a once-in-a-lifetime tour of 2 New High Street – and a close-up look at the vast fibreglass shark on the roof.

Since the iconic Headington property went back on the market in early June plenty of interest has been generated from families looking to get their teeth into a new home.

Leaping at the chance, we tracked down Bill Heine and gladly accepted an exclusive peek at the home behind the Shark House.

Ushering us into the hallway, the BBC Radio Oxford presenter said: "When you come in it's got a Tardis feel to it. It's strange; when you're outside you don't expect the house to be this big. One of the things that I like about the place is that it's got a great deal of light."

Every room in the house is, indeed, very spacious and - in contrast with its wacky exterior - decorated in the same soft shade of oatmeal.

A country-style kitchen with flagstones underfoot gives way to the utility room followed by a sun-soaked conservatory stuffed with flowers and potted ferns.

Outside, the garden itself is shaded by overhanging trees and swathes of tiny roses growing over the fence.

Mr Heine said: "The garden itself is not very difficult to keep up because it's very manageable.

"It's nice having the roses peep over at you from the top. It's not overlooked by anyone; it's great for me."

The shark itself, controversially installed by Mr Heine in 1986 to mark the 41st anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, sits directly over a trapdoor and is supported from the inside by a series of wooden slats. The Oxford Mail can finally reveal that the shark has no head, but nor does the ceiling leak.

After 30 years, Mr Heine said, the looming sculpture was as popular as ever with neighbours and visitors alike.

He said: "It's incredible. People really like the shark. A neighbour put in extra windows and they take their guests over there so that they can see it.

"When we were repairing the shark [in 2009] we put some scaffolding up and I was stopped constantly in the street by people saying 'What's happening to our shark?'."

The whole house is up for rent for £2,300 a month, interesting the same price as last time despite rising rents in Oxford, after the previous tenants returned to Pakistan.

Mr Heine said: "I want someone who will take ownership of the special-ness of the place: they go out and smile at people, shake hands and get to know them.

"I don't want people who turn their backs on the street and the community."

Despite a flurry of interest so far, he added: "If I had wanted to let it out to just anyone it would have already gone by now."

For more information on the house or to book a viewing visit tinyurl.com/z85oxgs