THE leader of Oxford City Council has been shortlisted for a national award recognising support for culture and the arts.

Bob Price, also leader of the Labour group and representative for Hinksey Park, has been named an 'a model of enthusiastic participation and a great councillor' ahead of the Hearts for the Arts Awards 2017.

He is one of five nominated in the 'Best Local Authority Arts Champion – Councillor' category alongside two councillors from London and two from Liverpool.

In a statement, organisers the National Campaign for the Arts said: "Councillor Bob Price is an outstanding character and a passionate champion of the arts, who has been actively supporting arts and culture in Oxford for over 30 years.

"Ask anyone working in arts and culture in Oxford about Bob they most often say, ‘Bob’s great – he comes to everything!’.

"Bob is known for the breadth of his interest in arts and cultural events, from performance sharing by young people at Pegasus, to community carnivals and fairs, to The Story Museum’s Alice’s Day, to plays at Oxford Playhouse and attending art gallery openings.

"Bob sees the big picture. He thinks long term about the human ecology of Oxford and believes a strong arts and cultural life is a vital part of that. He leads environmental sustainability agendas, fights for affordable housing and the importance of welcoming asylum seekers in Oxford."

Mr Price is a member of the south east area council of Arts Council England and is on the advisory board of Oxford Philomusica.

Before becoming a councillor Mr Price was a senior manager at Oxford Brookes University and volunteered at Modern Art Oxford.

Winners will be announced in the days leading up to Valentine's Day.