The biggest post-exam celebrations in Oxford passed safely - despite hundreds of students hitting the streets at the same time.

Barriers were put up to control the crowds in Merton Street and a large number of University police were on duty as elated undergraduates emerged from the Examinations Schools.

The Oxford University students union had feared safety problems after exam time-tabling led to 850 partying students finishing their papers at the same time.

In the end, flying Champagne corks appeared to present the only danger.

Wadham College student Stevan Riley was covered in glitter by friends after he finished his final exams in economics and management

He said: "I'm overjoyed. Everyone seems to be well behaved - well, better behaved than English hooligans anyway!" St Cross College student Joseph O'Connor, who had just completed his industrial relations exam, added: "How do you sum up how you feel when you complete your exams at Oxford? I'm speechless."

More than 500 students finished exams at the Examination Schools, in High Street, and a further 340 in exam rooms in Iffley Road.

University Marshal Ted Roberts said the situation came about because of exam paper options that candidates had chosen.

In the end, students not taking final year examinations were ushered out of a different exit to the examinations school.

University spokesman Gill Sanders said: "As far as I know everything has passed off peacefully. Obviously we wanted to take precautions because with such large numbers there could have been a problem."

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