A review of tourist coach parking in Oxford is to be undertaken in the wake of the controversy over a proposed pay and display site.

The city council's highways and traffic committee wants dropping-off and picking-up points in the north and south of the city centre but only in areas where they will not cause more congestion.

The review will look at existing facilities for coach parking and identify possible new sites. One option is using Seacourt park and ride, off Botley Road, as a collection point for tourists coming into the city by bus.

The study is likely to take three months. The city council will then decide whether to back the proposed pay and display scheme for St Giles.

But it is likely to oppose the scheme, which would see 39 car parking spaces go. The county council, which will have the final say on the project, has received nearly 300 letters of objection. Colleges and churches in the area are urging the project to be scrapped.

City councillor Maureen Christian (Lab) said: "St Giles is one of the finest entrances to this city and we do not want it clogged up with coaches."