More than 500 people have been through an exhibition called Screaming Tyres, which pokes fun at the 'notoriety' of the Blackbird Leys estate in Oxford.

Members of the Blag art group

Exhibits consist of such things as decorated tyres and paintings made from rubbish found on the estate.

Organisers Blackbird Leys Art Group (Blag) named the show as a homage to the Oxford estate's joyriding history and to distinguish it from the city's dreaming spires image.

Many of the tyres have been decorated by local schoolchildren, doubling as interactive games, noughts and crosses and seats.

One painting made from rubbish collected from around the estate portrays Blackbird Leys waste collector Dave Bye with a halo.

Tanya Prescott, of Blag, said: "There's those images of Blackbird Leys of joyriding cars which everyone remembers, but we have moved on.

"We are obviously far away from the dreamy spires image of Oxford.

"But although we are portrayed as a different place, people living here are part of Oxford even if we live outside the ring road.

"This exhibition is in your face and makes people sit up and think."

Workshops have been held including textiles and art.

The Screaming Tyres exhibition also boasts paintings by children and art groups.

Artist Ines Kretzschma used rubbish found in streams, children's play areas and the street to make pictures including a painting of Blackbird Leys and Oxford City Council street cleaner Dave Bye. She said: "Dave the cleaner is my hero.

"I painted him with a halo because I see him every weekday in the street keeping everything tidy.

"I showed it to him in my flat and I was really nervous about it.

"He was pleased, but I was very relieved.

"I really admired him for coming back and clearing up the mess.

"Everything is made from rubbish, I picked up cans and bottles from the stream, cigarette packets from the street and crisp packets from children's playgrounds."

Many of the exhibition pieces will go on permanent show at the Blackbird Leys Community Centre.

Mr Bye said: "I was very surprised and it is a good likeness -- apart from the halo.

"Some of my colleagues have been laughing at me but I didn't expect someone to do this."

Funding for the exhibition, at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre until tomorrowfriday, came from the National Lottery and Oxford City Council.