Almost overnight they became a must-have accessory for any Oxford United fan - and now they could become collectors' items.

The yellow and blue Oxford Loyal wristbands have all been snapped up and no more will be going on sale.

The bands were launched by United and the Oxford Mail in June as a way for fans to show their support for the club following United's relegation from the Football League.

A total of 6,000 are now on the wrists of United fans in Oxfordshire and beyond.

The first batch saw more than 2,000 sold and a second order cleared just as quickly in July.

At the club shop, demand exceeded supply every time a new batch of wristbands arrived.

Manager Hilary Sillman said: "Every day we have people coming in asking where the wristbands are. We sold out some time ago and are now having to turn people away. There are a lot of disappointed fans who want a wristband but just can't get one. I wouldn't be surprised if they do now become a collectors' item.

"It's a shame we can't keep selling them. On match days they sell brilliantly."

Margaret Marsh, newspaper sales manager at the Oxford Mail, said: "The Oxford Loyal bands have proven to be a real hit. We thought they might be popular, but we had no idea they would be this popular. No one anticipated them selling out so quickly and we found ourselves having to order and reorder them.

"It's fantastic that fans got behind the club like this. With no more going on sale now, they really do have a collectors' item on their hands."

Priced £1, the profits made from the bands will be shared between the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign and United's youth development programme.

One of United's most famous fans, children's TV presenter Timmy Mallett, was among the first to wear a band, telling the Oxford Mail he "wore it with pride".

United club secretary Mick Brown said: "We were amazed at the response to the bands.

"People kept coming into the club shop over the summer to buy them when usually it's very quiet."