Spanish police have released 24 rowers from an Oxford University rowing club without charge.

They were arrested on Thursday following a row at a restaurant where they ate the night before.

The team members, aged between 19 and 27, were held in Amposta, in north-eastern Spain, between Valencia and Barcelona. They are in the area to train on the nearby Ebro River.

The Spanish news agency Efe quoted police in the provincial capital of Tarragona as saying the rowers - 23 men and a woman - were questioned over £400 worth of damage to a pizzeria in Amposta where they held a farewell party.

'Turning over tables'

The rowers are members of the Oxford University Lightweight Rowing Club - not the crew who compete in the annual boat race with rivals Cambridge.

A local government official in Tarragona Province told Efe that the rowers had been questioned in a magistrate's court on charges of public order offences and causing damage.

Police were reported to have said that rowers at the meal became drunk and began turning over tables.

The group then moved into the streets of the town, allegedly throwing over litter bins and damaging lamp posts and parked cars.

Oxford University director of rowing Steve Royle said: "I'm very pleased to hear they have been released without charge. It sounds as though they were very lucky.

"I'm sure reports of an alleged rampage were exaggerated, but even so it is unacceptable behaviour.

Codes of practice

"They are an independent club but it still reflects badly on the university and on rowing in general and we will be putting procedures in place to try to ensure this does not happen again.

"There are codes of practice which apply for such trips, and they have obviously been breached."

A university spokesperson said: "The university takes complaints against student behaviour seriously. The university proctors have the authority to discipline students in cases including allegations of disorderly conduct.

"Individual cases of student discipline are heard by the proctors. All such proceedings are confidential, except that a report on the outcome will be sent to the student's college.

"The university cannot comment on aspects of any story relating to possible action by the proctors, as this could potentially breach the confidentiality with which student disciplinary matters are dealt."