Yobs risked causing serious injury to cyclists by tying fishing line across Oxford cycle paths.

Police warned that victims could be badly hurt -- especially if cyclists were hit in the throat or travelling at speed.

Cyclists have reported pedalling into fishing line at two locations in Marston.

On Monday evening, a man came off his bike in Parry Close after being caught by fishing line high-up on his body.

On Tuesday, a man was hit in the face by fishing line which snapped and grazed his chin. It was tied between lampposts near an underpass in Marston Ferry Road.

James Styring, chairman of city Cycling group Cyclox, said: "It's very worrying. If someone is going quite quickly the potential for injury is huge.

"If you are going 20mph on a bike and then come off it, you could die. Hopefully, it was a prank that had not been thought through -- because it could have had serious consequences."

He appealed to those responsible to stop, by pointing out their parents or friends could be hurt.

Cycling enthusiast Dom Scholfield, of Oxford Cycle Workshop, in Magdalen Road, said: "I think most people would regard tampering with a motor vehicle as being very serious -- what happened here is not so far removed. It's malicious and it's dangerous."

Insp Stuart Gibbs, of Cowley police station, said: "This may have just been a Halloween prank, but I would like to stress that this is extremely dangerous behaviour. Already a man has fallen from his bike and it is lucky that he received only minor injuries."

Call Insp Gibbs on 08458 505505, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 anonymously with information.