OXFORD illustrator Ted Dewan is planning to set fire to Broad Street - all in the name of art.

Mr Dewan caused a stir with the Cyclemas Tree in 2004, a tree made entirely of abandoned bikes, which he pulled through the streets before "planting" it in Gloucester Green.

Now the artist is preparing for another stunning public display by joining forces with Oxford Inspires, to host a series of fire installations launching celebrations for Oxford's Millennium in 2007.

Mr Dewan, who illustrates children's books including the Bing Bunny series, said preparations for LUMINOX, the opening event for Oxfordshire's Millennium in 2007, were now well under way.

For three nights, from March 15 to 17, Broad Street will be transformed, featuring a large-scale fire installation and a specially-commissioned pendulum sculpture.

Mr Dewan said: "It's a privilege to be working with Simon Chatterton, who recently produced two of Oxford's finest public events, Powerplant at the Botanic Garden, and If On a Winter's Night in Radcliffe Square."

Oxford Contemporary Music, and the world-renowned French art group Carabosse will also be taking part.

Mr Dewan said: "For years, Carabosse have transformed city spaces all over the world with their firepot installation work, and have just been introduced to the UK in Manchester in September.

"I'm mainly in charge of building my 17-metre-spire of bamboo that will hold a huge fiery pendulum.

"Each full swing of the pendulum will count off each of the thousand years of Oxfordshire for the duration of the evening."

Mr Dewan said the event would also make people think about the best use for public spaces in Oxford, which are frequently occupied by traffic.

He added: "Over and over again, I've seen how transforming streets into temporary art spaces is far from frivolous.

"In many ways, it's the most profound use we can put our public spaces to, and thereafter the public demands more of it.

"This will be especially dramatic in Broad Street, the beautiful central space I've always thought of as Oxfordshire's Trafalgar Square.

"In the end, LUMINOX is not about creating a performance for an audience. The arena belongs to all of us, and the piece is about the audience itself.

"I'm looking forward to overhearing those who come to be part of LUMINOX saying 'I can't believe this is Oxford!'"

Debbie Dance, a spokesman for the Oxford Preservation Trust, said: "The fire installation will be an exciting way to launch the celebrations for 2007, and an exciting use of public space.

"We are also working with Oxford Inspires on a week-long series of events, from June 18 to June 24, which will be based at the Oxford Castle.

"We are planning to open unusual buildings across the city, including those owned by the university."