AN OXFORD man in the top ten of an international hunt for the world's best Van Gogh lookalike will soon be available for hire as a professional "impressionist".

Graphic designer Steve Monk-Chipman announced this weekend he has been picked up by a lookalike talent agency.

The 26-year-old also also said he expects to find out the result of the competition, being run by Canadian artist Douglas Coupland, by the end of August.

With just over 15,000 votes on the website iamvincent.com, Mr Monk-Chipman is currently in fifth place to win the prize of having his head carved in bronze.