A retired mechanic has beaten an award-winning novelist to take first place in a community poetry competition.

Reg Burnley, of Burchester Avenue, Barton, Oxford, won the top prize at the Headington Poetry Competition 2001.

He beat former Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and Booker Prize judge Brian Aldiss.

The science fiction writer, of St Andrews Road, Headington, submitted three entries to the competition, but still lost to Mr Burnley's three-versed poem Headington Old and Headington New.

Mr Aldiss came second with Headington at Home -- losing out on the first prize of a complete set of Colin Dexter's Morse crime novels.

Grandfather Mr Burnley, 59, said: "I entered as a last minute thing.

"My wife badgered me into it. I was a bit gobsmacked when I won.

"I have written some poetry, but generally I write it on Christmas and birthday cards. I'm a bit of an old romantic I suppose, doing poems for my wife."

His wife, Kathleen, 57, said she was very proud.

She said: "Reg write lots of verse and we have a great big volume of poems going back over the years.

"I've often thought I'd like to see them published, because I enjoy them so much.

"He writes from the heart -- it could be about Shotover after a walk, or something for one of our grandchildren."

Mr Aldiss said: "I entered the competition in support of the local community.

"I've been a writer for more than 50 years and you can't win them all.

"Maybe Mr Burnley will consider writing even more poetry now."

The poetry competition was organised by Headington Business Association and had a total of 48 entries in the adult and children sections.

A commemorative booklet has been printed and is on sale in Headington shops for £2.50, in bid to raise money for the Christmas lights -- which were also organised by the business association members.

Although they raised enough sponsorship for new decorations, there is still a deficit of nearly £1,000.

Frank Cummings, of Time and Elegance jewellers, said: "We have a shortfall on the lights and still need to raise more money.

"We hope we can get this together with the poetry booklet."

Headington Old and Headington New by Reg Burnley

Headington Old and Headington New

The Shark's in the roof but there's nothing to do

Except sit at a Bistro, now that is quite hip,

But what if your fancy is taking a dip?

The cinema's gone, and Holyoake Hall

If it wasn't for Bury Knowle, there would be nothing to call

A public space to have some fun,

Chase a ball, led kids run.

Forget McDonald's, it must be said,

I long for the taste of Vallis's bread.

Yes, Headington's changed, and I must stop crowing,

They tell me Williams' the bike shop is still going!

Headington at Home by Brian Aldiss

Someone sits drinking in the Caf Noir --

Known to punters as the Latin Quarter

Of Headington. Thinking of how he lives

He naturally prefers strong wine to water.

Daily he treads the treeless London Road,

Sensing almost tangibly meanwhile

The people's discontents; Estate agents

Show how we seek a better 'domicile'.

Nowhere a decent restaurant! Only

Cheap food joints and pubs that serve dear hooch.

People dropping litter in the street,

Into the many charity shops they mooch.

Who wants an iron bed, a funeral

By Co-op? Friends, life is just a kind of code!

Be philosophical. Concrete must yield

To mind -- and Oxford's only down the road.