The Frenchman who tried to make a success of the ill-fated Millennium Dome has offered his support to Oxford's European Capital of Culture bid.

Pierre-Yves Gerbeau took on the job of trying to boost visitor numbers to Britain's most notorious visitor attraction three years ago.

But the former chief executive of the Dome believes Oxford's bid should enjoy better fortune when the Government names the winner on June 4.

Mr Gerbeau said: "It has to be Oxford, with Birmingham second. Oxford is the most marketable."

The other shortlisted cities are Cardiff, Newcastle-Gateshead, Liverpool and Bristol.

But the Frenchman appeared to be unaware that Britain is certain to provide the Capital of Culture in five years' time, when he added: "I think Britain has a very good chance of getting the Capital of Culture 2008."

European Union members take it in turn to hold the title for a year.

Meanwhile, a new survey of Britain's most creative cities has given Oxford's campaign a late boost. The city would have finished the second most creative city in the Boho Britain creativity index -- compiled by Demos, an independent think tank -- had it not finished outside the top 40 cities because of its smaller population.

Oxford scores highly because of its student population and concentration of technology research.

Mr Hutchison, chief executive of Oxford Inspires, which is behind Oxford's bid, said: "I'm not at all surprised by these findings, which confirm what we already know."

Meanwhile, BBC Radio Newcastle presenters Paul Wappat and Ian Robinson stirred feelings of rivalry yesterday when they broadcast from Broad Street to tell Geordies that Oxford people lacked interest in the bid.

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