ARTISTS of all ages and abilities can now depict Oxford through their own eyes.

The city of dreaming spires has never been short of picturesque places and a competition, launching today, invites residents to create a personal map of their favourite city centre spots.

Called 'Oxford – My Treasure Island', it is part of the Oxford Mail and city council's Rediscover Oxford campaign, which urges people to revisit the city centre.

Mary Clarkson, the council's board member for the city centre, Covered Market and culture, has created her own hand-drawn map.

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It includes locations with a personal memory as well as well-known places like Blackwell's bookshop and Magdalen Bridge, illustrating the amount on offer in Oxford.

The councillor said: “All my early childhood memories are from here, so I've drawn activities I used to love when I was small.

"There’s still a huge amount to do in Oxford, even with things being cancelled."

Entries are not limited to the normal landmarks – maps showing your favourite cafe, shop or walking route are just as welcome.

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The map can also show a moment in time, such as a magical May morning or a memorable first date.

It does not need to be geographically accurate as long as it is within the rough city centre boundary, while any sort of creation is acceptable, whether it is a photo montage, poem or a film.

Kieran Cox, artistic director of Fusion Arts in East Oxford, said: “I love that the individuals and families get to be creative and have the opportunity to share their favourite spaces, take ownership of heir city through drawing and making and imagine wonderful new futures.

“At Fusion we’ve worked on numerous projects over the years involving maps and places and we love how they can be informative, empowering and joyful.”

Entrants under 12 can pick up a free treasure map from Blackwell's with the best city centre places for children.

It also provides vouchers for a 15 per cent discount at the bookshop and a free trip on the City Sightseeing Oxford open-top bus tour.

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A panel of local experts will judge the maps on originality, attractiveness and how evocative they are.

The winner receives a £100 gift voucher to spend in the Covered Market, with the top three entries getting their creation professionally framed by Covered Arts to hang on their wall at home.

The city council also plans to hold an exhibition featuring the best maps in the city centre later this year.

Meanwhile, The Cake Shop in the Covered Market will recreate the winning under 12 entry as a cake.

Rosie Jacobs, co-founder of Independent Oxford, which represents small traders in the city, said: “Oxford is definitely a great city to visit for finding those hidden places off the tourist trail.

“As a resident there are those iconic spots you wouldn’t normally see – now's the time to do it.”

Entries must be submitted before Monday, October 5, with the winners announced a week later.

Visit rediscoveroxford.co.uk