Council leader John Tanner today issued a warning to Oxford May Day revellers not to cause trouble or jump from Magdalen Bridge, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Cllr Tanner, leader of the city council's ruling Labour group, clashed with police and other representatives on a special advisory group, which wanted the bridge to close.

Police feared a crowd of 25,000 people converging on the bridge on Saturday, May 1, would pose problems - but leading councillors disagreed.

Cllr Tanner is now appealing to revellers to behave on the day - or risk the event being cancelled for years to come. The council is preparing nearby Angel and Greyhound Meadow as an overflow space to cope with the high numbers of revellers.

Cllr Tanner said: "We want this to be an enjoyable event for students and families celebrating a delightful Oxford tradition."

But he added: "Revellers must watch out for each other and should be warned that it is extremely dangerous to jump off the bridge.

"Several years ago, a student suffered permanent injuries as a result. People should be warned that this is a dangerous thing to do." County engineers will check to see if the bridge needs strengthening to cope with the crowds.

Police originally wanted to seal off the bridge from 4am to 7am. They are expected to issue their own safety warnings nearer the day.

Thousands more people than normal are expected to gather on the bridge because May Day falls on a Saturday. *A last-ditch move by Liberal Democrats to have Magdalen Bridge closed for the May Day celebrations failed.

Cllr Jean Fooks last nigh asked the city council to reconsider the decision not to close the bridge but she was out-voted.

Story date: Tuesday 20 April

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