RESEARCHERS for the latest tourist guide to England have been criticised for failing to recognise Oxford's vibrant live music scene.

In the eighth edition of The Rough Guide to England, Oxford gets a glowing review and is praised for its fine university architecture, excellent museums and range of bars and restaurants.

The book lists the city as a place not to miss and urges readers to visit the gorgeous ensemble of honey-coloured buildings and dreaming spires.

It adds: "Despite - indeed, partly because of its idiosyncracies, Oxford should be high on anyone's itinerary and can keep you occupied for several days."

But the guide's criticism of Oxford's music scene - it says the city "does not rate highly when it comes to contemporary live music" - has angered a number of cultural commentators, who were quick to defend local bands and venues.

Ronan Munro, editor of Nightshift magazine, which reports on gigs and the city's nightlife, said: "This is absolute rubbish, because the city has a very thriving live music scene.

"It sounds like the reviewers for the Rough Guide took a very quick glance at NME's gig guide one week and failed to do much more than that.

"Anyone with any basic knowledge of the music scene in Oxford would immediately realise there has been a procession of great bands coming out of the city in the past 20 years, with Radiohead and Supergrass being followed by Foals and Young Knives.

"These bands would not have been able to progress if it wasn't for the support of a good live music scene.

"The Punt, where 18 local bands are playing at five venues in Oxford, is a perfect example of just how thriving the music scene is.

"One of the bands on the bill, Little Fish, have already got quite a following."

Tim Hughes, music writer, added: "It's ridiculous to say Oxford does not rate highly when it comes to live music, because there's so much going on.

"The Zodiac, in Cowley Road, has been revamped and turned into the Carling Academy and is a top-class venue, attracting big-name acts.

"Oxford may not come top of the list when it comes to dance and club nights, but its live music scene is better than in cities of a similar size - and even outshines the music scene in bigger places."

The Rough Guide to England, which is updated every two years, does list the Carling Academy in the Live Music and Clubs section, and the Old Fire Station, in George Street.

It says the Academy is "far and away Oxford's liveliest indie and dance venue, with a fast moving programme of live bands and guest DJs".

Rough Guide author Phil Lee, who wrote the Oxford section, said he did not get the feeling there was a thriving music scene when he visited the city while compiling the guidebook.

He added: "We will certainly bear in mind what people have been saying about the music scene for next time."