Jump bridge may open next May Day

Jumpers ignored this year's ban to jump off Magdalen Bridge

The controversial closure of Oxford's Magdalen Bridge during May Day to stop the tradition of people jumping off may not be repeated next year.

Supt Jim Trotman, of Oxford police, said he wanted to look at alternatives to the complete closure that has been in place for two years.

Three people managed to evade the ban on jumping this year.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said Supt Trotman did not want to "put such draconian measures in place".

Choristers' hymns

"We did not want to do it. I suppose it's about protecting people from themselves but we might have to find more creative ways of doing that," he added.

A final decision will not be made until next year.

About 40 people were hurt in 2005 after they ignored police warnings and jumped into the water, which was only about 2ft (60cm) deep.

That led to closures in 2006 and earlier this month.

The bridge was previously closed for four May Days between 1998 and 2001 after one person was left paralysed.

Every year thousands of people gather on and around Magdalen Bridge to hear choristers sing hymns at dawn from the tower at Magdalen College.