A new entrance and cycle path to St Birinus Boys' School in Didcot is being opened to reduce congestion outside the main entrance.

At present the chaotic situation in Mereland Road when children arrive and leave St Birinus -- and neighbouring Greenmere Primary School -- has been likened by staff at the schools to the chariot race in the film Ben Hur.

Hundreds of children are dropped off and collected in scores of cars and coaches.

St Birinus headmaster Chris Bryan said: The new entrance and path off Glebe Road will reduce the number of cyclists who have been forced to use the busy Mereland Road."

Oxfordshire County Council provided the new facilities including 170m-long cycle path that spans the school playing field.

The path links into nearby Greenmere Primary School, encouraging pupils to get into the cycling habit from an early age.

Mr Bryan said: "We are also encouraging parents who bring their children to school by car to drop them off in Newlands Avenue so that pupils can walk into school via the new route. This will help reduce congestion in Mereland Road.

The new facilities were opened by Didcot mayor Ian Townsend.