A burned-out van lying in a ditch may not be everyone's ideal viewing material when they are catching the bus to work.

But such photographs, which also include images of Blackbird Leys's The Glow Tree and flowerbeds outside tower blocks have been taken by amateur snappers to depict life on Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys.

A free exhibition opened yesterday at the Leys Linx Centre in Blackbird Leys, putting on show the best 50 photographs submitted.

Members of the public can vote for which image they believe best represents life on the estate. Bus passengers will also be able to cast their opinions on the snaps, because they will adorn the inside of 14 of the No 5 buses run by Oxford Bus Company to and from Blackbird Leys. The Life on the Leys exhibition was organised by Blackbird Leys Information Technology Zone (Blitz).

Project worker Christine McDermott said: "The competition has been a great way for people to do something creative in the community and the entries give very different angles of life in the neighbourhood.

"We wanted to set up the competition to let people know about the wide range of courses available to them at the IT hub including photography. We also offer courses in basic skills, desktop publishing, Internet for beginners and much more."

The exhibition will run until Saturday. Photographer Dennis Myna, of Blackbird Leys, has entered a portrait. He said: "It was a great opportunity to use the skills I recently learnt at the IT hub, and be part of a community event."

The Oxford Bus Company's director and general manager Louisa Weeks said: "The Oxford Bus Company is part and parcel of the community in Blackbird Leys and the photos reflect the diverse nature and character of the estate. Like the buses the flats are very much part of the local scene. We're delighted to have been able to provide an unusual travelling picture gallery to support the project and we hope it is a huge success."

The competition was also backed by Blackbird Leys Parish Council and Oxford Citizens Housing Association.