OXFORD'S last remaining all-female college, which was founded in 1893, has finally bowed to financial pressures after governors voted on Wednesday to admit male students and academics.

The St Hilda's College ballot resulted in a two-thirds majority backing the switch, which will come into effect within two years.

The governors have voted on the issue four times over the past nine years, narrowly failing to win the majority during the last ballot in 2003.

During student ballots earlier this year, undergraduates voted 55 per cent in favour of allowing men in, while 81.4 per cent of graduate students voted to retain an all-female student body.

Middle Common Room president Claire Lynch said: "It's a sad day for the college and many people here are upset about it, but I hope we can move on with a positive attitude."

Students at St Hilda's College have been reprimanded for wearing their nightdresses to breakfast. The ban follows a spate of flimsy-garment wearing at the breakfast table, which has embarrassed canteen staff.

College dons, alarmed by what some of the students have been adopting as nightwear, have advised them to "dress appropriately" because staff serving food have refused to serve girls showing too much flesh.

Arielle Goodley, 20, has received a written reprimand from St Hilda's lecturers after turning up for breakfast in a lacy nightdress and skimpy dressing gown.

Ms Goodley, a third year English and psychology student from Orange County, California, said: "Surely one of the benefits of not having men around is that we can turn up for breakfast wearing whatever we want."