A graphic designer was killed when he was struck by a stolen car while out celebrating a friend's wedding.

Chistopher Oulds, of Hailles Gardens, Bicester, died as he walked home from the bride and groom's home in Somerton early on Saturday.

Mr Oulds, who worked for the creative effects firm Succubus, which is based in Fritwell, had met friends in the Kings Arms pub, in Bicester, before joining the wedding celebrations. Mr Oulds, who was single and did not have a driving licence, was walking along the Ardley to Somerton road between 12.30am and 5am when he was hit by an A-reg Austin Maestro. It had been stolen hours earlier from Somerville Drive, Bicester.

His body was discovered by a cyclist lying by the side of the road.

Jason Troughton, a director of Succubus, paid tribute to Mr Oulds, who only began working with the firm six weeks ago.

He said: "He was a very hard worker and he got on well with everybody. "His technical illustration on the computer was second to none and he was looking towards pushing that side of the business."

Work colleague Paul Morton, who used to pick Mr Oulds up for work each morning, said news of his death was hard to take in.

He added: "It hasn't really sunk in yet and he will be sadly missed by everybody." An inquest into Mr Oulds' death was opened and adjourned yesterday and his parents, who had emigrated to New Zealand, were flying back to Britain this week.

Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses to come forward. Bicester traffic police can be contacted on 01869 364892.

Story date: Tuesday 12 October

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.