A sculpture of an ox crossing a river - or Margaret Thatcher, complete with her trademark handbag.

These are just two suggestions for a new work of art outside Oxford railway station.

The proposal, by Conservative county councillor Keith Mitchell that a statue of the former Tory Prime Minister should greet people visiting the city by train, was purely tongue-in-cheek.

But councillors on the Oxford Transport Strategy Working Party are now considering genuine ideas for a work of art in Station Square.

The business school is being asked to provide funding of 48,000 for the project, as part of a planning agreement.

County councillor Tim Horton, who chaired last week's Transport Strategy Working Party meeting, said the most popular idea so far was for an ox crossing a river, because that would reflect how the city got its name.

He said: "The railway station is for many people their entrance to the city. The area is a bit bare at the moment and a work of art would make it much more attractive."

He added that he did not think Cllr Mitchell's suggestion would be very popular.

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