They came, they saw, they voted.

The Romans are about to make a comeback on Oxford's Barton estate, and the exact nature of how it will be done was up for discussion yesterday.

Barton is believed to be the scene of the first Roman settlement in the area two millennia ago.

Residents now have the chance to celebrate these ancient roots with a new 27 metre-wide amphitheatre in Underhill Circus planned as part of a £250,000 makeover.

Yesterday, the people of Barton were given the opportunity to vote on which of the three proposals they would like to see put in place.

The choices include a bronze Roman-style arch, a giant spiralling column or a series of illuminated multi-coloured glass panels.

The designs are the result of workshops held with groups on the estate and run by artist Peter Dunn.

One of the first to cast his eye over the plans was pensioner William Castle, of Henry Taunt Close.

He said his vote had gone to the multi-coloured glass panels as the design of the lights would "look nice in the winter".

He said: "I don't like the archway idea, that would make it look too much like a prison, and the column looks like a giant chimney pot.

"The lights would look pretty and people would like to see something like that in Barton."

Also placing his vote was Alan Foulkes, who works on the estate.

He said: "I have found it very hard to choose as I like all of the designs and all of them have their strong points.

"I have opted for the glass panels too, though, as they are more unusual than the other two designs and have an interesting appearance."

But Eugenia Stevenson, of Mather Road, Barton, said her vote had gone to the arch.

The 78-year-old, who has lived on the estate for more than 50 years, said: "I like the arch and the way it would divide the shops. It is beautiful. We've never had an arch like that on Barton and it would look lovely.

"The column would also be nice, but I would worry about children racing about on their bikes and crashing into it.

"I think it's good that the people of Barton are being consulted like this and we are getting the choice of what we see being built."

Artist Mr Dunn said: "Hearing people's views is exactly what this is all about. It's important that people come and have a look and use their vote."

The makeover will be funded by money from developers who were granted planning permission for buildings on the estate. It was commissioned by arts charity Fusion on behalf of Oxford City Council.

* The exhibition will remain at the Barton Community Centre in Underhill Circus today and residents are encouraged to vote.