Broadcaster Bill Heine has admitted people are already judging his new book by the cover.

The BBC Radio Oxford presenter met more than 300 fans at a party to launch his first book, Heinstein of the Airwaves.

Mr Heine spent Friday evening signing copies of the memoir at the Ashmolean Museum.

He told the Oxford Mail he had received several queries about the image of him on the book’s cover, which was drawn by Oxford children’s book illustrator Korky Paul.

Mr Heine said: “Several people said if what’s inside is as good as the cover, it’s going to be brilliant.

“I think the drawing is really quite arresting and fun at the same time. It gives you the image of a kind of rebel behind the microphone.

“That’s what Korky caught, and that’s what he drew on the cover.

“If the truth be told, I expect there’s a grain of truth in that.”

Mr Heine’s book describes his 20 years in Oxford.

Originally from Illinois, in the US, he came to study at Balliol College and ended up settling in the city.

The book also follows the hotly contested installation of the Headington Shark – a 25ft sculpture – which still sticks out from the roof of his home.

Fans Cassandra Petitbout and Stephen Harness, from Witney, were among those who travelled to the Beaumont Street museum to meet Mr Heine.

French-born Ms Petitbout said Mr Heine was her favourite radio presenter.

She added: “He’s almost synonymous with Oxford now isn’t he?

“I can see why he decided to hold the launch in the museum. He should really be kept in here himself, he’s that much of an institution.”

Mr Harness agreed, and added: “We became fans from the minute we moved to the county and heard him on the radio.

“I love the way he simply allows people to speak. He also has a knack of bringing it down to the basics of what people are saying, so everyone can understand.”

Another fan, Mary Williams, who was specially invited to the bash by Mr Heine, said: “I lived in Oxford for some years and still listen to the show.

“I love his sense of humour, it’s infectious.”

Heinstein of the Airwaves is out now, priced £9.99.