Oxford United chairman and owner Nick Merry has been charged for failing to provide a roadside breath sample to police.

Mr Merry was stopped in the early hours of yesterday morning on his way home having spent the night with Oxford United supporters at a special fans' forum.

He was arrested at about 2am in Banbury on suspicion of failing to provide a sample after being pulled over as he made his way home to Bloxham in his Bentley car.

Last night police said Mr Merry was taken to Banbury police station where he allegedly failed to blow into the intoximeter.

He was subsequently charged for failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

When the Oxford Mail spoke to Mr Merry about the incident yesterday he said: "I have got no comment on that" before hanging up.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Victoria Bartlett said: "Nick Merry, 45, from Bloxham, has been charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

"He was stopped by officers in Banbury earlier this morning and was arrested for failing to provide a roadside specimen. He is due to appear at Banbury Magistrates' Court in September."

The U's owner and club chairman returned to Oxford in 2006 amid a fanfare of euphoria after he bought the club from previous owner Firoz Kassam.

Mr Merry, a former Oxford United youth team player who became a successful businessman, bought Mr Kassam's 89 per cent shareholding in the club after long and protracted negotiations.

Mr Merry ended up buying the club for £1 - with the other £2m it cost him to take control going towards clearing the club's debts.

On Thursday night Mr Merry had been attending a fans' forum at the Kassam Stadium in Grenoble Road, Greater Leys, where he and other directors had been answering questions from supporters. The event was held in the early evening and finished at about 8.30pm, but Mr Merry remained behind to talk to supporters.

Today he was expected in the director's box at the Kassam Stadium for Oxford United's fourth game of the season against Stafford Rangers.