OXFORD artist Ted Dewan finally finished building a giant bamboo spire last night ready for tonight's spectacular fire display.

Mr Dewan, who caused a stir with his Cyclemas Tree sculpture in 2004, has joined forces with Oxford Inspires, and French arts event company Carabosse, to host a series of fire installations in Broad Street, tonight, tomorrow and Saturday.

Mr Dewan said preparations for Luminox, one of the opening events for Oxfordshire's Millennium in 2007 festivities, were almost complete.

He added: "There's a fantastic vibe on Broad Street, and this has been a very rewarding project to be involved in.

"It has been a bit like a military operation to get the spire built in time, but we have managed it."

The 18-metre spire of bamboo will hold a fiery pendulum. Each full swing of the pendulum will count off each of the 1,000 years of Oxfordshire, and the lights show will start tonight at 7pm.

See www.oxfordshire2007.com for a full programme of events.