More than 100 people jumped off Magdalen Bridge during today’s May Morning celebrations — but they all escaped any serious injuries.

Even though no-one was hurt, the bridge is still scheduled to be closed next year.

Students and other residents started to jump from the bridge parapets into the River Cherwell at about 6.15am.

About 16,000 people attended the celebrations and police closed the road beneath Magdalen College tower shortly after 5am after 8,000 people crowded onto it.

There were also barriers controlling the crowds at the High Street junction with Merton Street until they were removed at 6.15am.

One of the first people to jump was Diane Billouin, 19, an au pair from Aylesbury, who said: “I came to hear the singers but then I thought it would be fun to jump in.

“It was a bit cold and my legs touched the bottom of the river when I jumped but I wasn’t hurt.

“I wouldn’t do it again — I just thought I would try it.”

Supt Amanda Pearson, of Thames Valley Police, said there were only four arrests, including one for an alcohol-related assault in the George Street area.

She added: “Our operation focused on working with licensed premises to reduce alcohol-related disorder and there were fewer arrests than usual for a Friday.

“I’m disappointed that a few individuals risked their own safety by jumping into the river and it is more by luck than judgement that they were not injured.”

Paul Cooke, lead operation manager for South Central Ambulance, said none of the people who jumped from the parapet were injured.

He added: “We treated a few people for minor injuries but that was after they tripped and fell in the street.”

Richard Gosling, a spokesman for the city and county councils on the May Morning safety advisory group, said: “There will be a debriefing shortly on this year’s event and then discussions will begin about next year.”