AN ARMY of cyclists staged an angry demonstration through Oxford city centre to "reclaim the streets" from polluting traffic.

More than a hundred protesters rode on cycles and even a rickshaw yesterday afternoon - bringing cars to a standstill.

One man was arrested and charged with obstructing the highway.

Police officers cycled alongside the protest as it wove its way around the city, leaving motorists and buses trailing in its wake.

University postman Charles Holland, 63, told why he took part: "It is not the amount of traffic but the attitude of certain drivers. They will cut you up and not worry about knocking you off if necessary."

Fellow protester Rachel Reeves, 19, of New College, Oxford, fell off her bike before the protest began as she swerved to avoid a bus.

"It is so dangerous for us - Cornmarket is pedestrianised but there are buses going down it," she said.

Protesters shouted "We want clean air - now" as they rode before handing in a petition of almost 1,000 signatures to the Town Hall.

Campaigners despair at Oxford's high level of pollution and believe cyclists are put at risk by buses and cars travelling through its tight, winding streets.

Student union transport officer Ralph Smyth led the protest. He said: "I think this demonstration will focus their minds. We have got to have widespread road closures in the city. The main problem is the pollution which will stay the same in many streets and could get worse. The buses are a big danger." The demo started at Wellington Square and continued through St Giles, Broad Street, Parks Road and over Magdalen Bridge into the High Street.

History student Christina Boylan, 24, said: "In the centre of the town I think it is ridiculous that they allow buses to spew out fumes."

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