WHEN John Goddard was Lord Mayor of Oxford, his wife Muriel took the opportunity to brush up on her artwork.

Now her watercolours, including one featuring the Liberal Democrat city councillor on the iconic carousel at St Giles Fair, have been turned into greetings cards.

The packs of eight cards have just gone on sale for £4.99 in the gift shop at the Oxford Town Hall and will raise money for the newly-refurbished Museum of Oxford.

Mr Goddard, of Blandford Avenue, who is a city councillor for Wolvercote, said: “In May 2010 I had the honour to be elected as the 50th Lord Mayor of Oxford.

“My wife and consort, the artist Muriel Mallows, was the Lady Mayoress and made sketches of many events we attended during our year in office.

“The Lady Mayoress’s sketches convey a taste of the range and fun of life in the city as well as its more dignified and solemn moments.”

As well as the ride on the carousel, other sketches show the Cowley Road Carnival Big Top, Oxford University’s Encaenia degree ceremony, and Christ Church Cathedral choristers.

Mr Goddard, Lib Dem county councillor for Summertown and Wolvercote, added: “Muriel has been a professio-nal artist for most of her life.

“We have been to Italy quite a few times and every time we go she takes her sketch book, so we have a wonderful record of all our holidays.

“I’m delighted that the sale of the cards is supporting the new museum and visitors will have a nice selection of cards to take home with them.”

Ms Mallows, former head of the art department at King’s School, Canterbury, said: “When John was mayor it provided lots of good opportunities for sketches and I filled about six little volumes.

“I’m really pleased with the way the cards have been produced. I think they look brilliant.”