A children's play area has been closed after a dispute between an Oxford University college and the city council.

The play area, in the Angel and Greyhound Meadow at St Clement's, has become a victim of an impasse in negotiations between the council and Magdalen College over a lease.

The dispute could also hit public access to the meadow, which has been leased to the council as a recreational area for many years.

Magdalen College said it had decided to shut the play area after the council's failure to renew the lease, which runs out next month.

It said the decision was taken on the grounds that the play equipment needed costly maintenance work to make it safe.

Families arriving over the half-term break found the play area locked up with a notice claiming it was unsafe.

But the council yesterday questioned the decision, insisting the play area had been recently inspected and posed no danger.

Work will begin shortly to renovate 55 of Oxford's most rundown play parks in a £2.5m project.

But Magdalen College said it had no alternative but to close the play area after taking advice.

Senior Bursar Charles Young said: "The council has told the college that in future it will only contribute at a much reduced rate to the costs of managing the meadow, and is unwilling itself to undertake any maintenance of the meadow.

"The college is reviewing the consequences of this with its advisers, including insurers, with particular reference to the implications for public safety.

"There is a small children's play area with swings and a roundabout which the college has been advised is unsafe and should be closed immediately.

"The college is taking action to do this and the equipment will be removed as soon as possible."

Bob Timbs, the council's executive member for leisure, said: "We certainly don't want to lose this play area. The council is spending more than £2m to keep play areas in the city open."