In recent years Bonn Square has become a disgrace.

What was once a popular green area in the heart of the city has been allowed to deteriorate into a muddy eyesore popular only among street drinkers and bored-looking teenagers.

Many people in Oxford, therefore, will be delighted that work is set to begin on plans to transform it into an attractive public space, at the gateway to the regenerated Westgate centre.

It seems, however, that this tatty part of Oxford has an unlikely fan in Gabriel, who feels so strongly about the destruction of this ugly patch of bare earth and trees that he yesterday took up position in a sycamore.

Armed only with nuts, raisins, a leather jacket and some plastic sheeting, he vowed to take on the contractors single-handed, claiming the development was a city council-devised plot to rid the area of "vagrants".

Some nature lovers will applaud his stance, which he hopes will help save the square's trees, but most will surely see it as a lost cause - which will serve only to give Gabriel a little publicity and, at worse, hypothermia.

So come on Gabriel, get yourself down, and let the workmen get started on this scheme which will improve the city for all - except, maybe, the square's iconic street drinkers.