The principal of Ruskin College has resigned after five years.

Mr Durcan, 55, who resigned at a meeting of the college governing executive told the Oxford Mail it was "time to move on".

Chris Wilkes, a spokesman for the college, said: "The executive recognises the massive expansion of student numbers, the development of a wide range of new courses, the setting up of important partnerships with unions and employers, and the steady development of quality assurance standards that has taken place in the five years since Jim's appointment and thanks him for all his work on behalf of the college."

The announcement comes two months after the college abandoned plans to move to the former Unipart site in north Oxford after the collapse of a controversial partnership with Berkeley Homes.

The scheme, which involved moving the college from Walton Street and Old Headington, sparked widespread protests -- including a motion of no confidence in the college's senior management team-- among students and lecturers.

Mr Durcan denied that the pressures of the job had contributed to his decision to step down.

He will remain in post until July 31.