AN OXFORD University student wanted over an attack in a St Tropez nightclub remains at large, French police have confirmed.

John Washington, who is a postgraduate history student at St Cross College and descendent of American President George Washington, is alleged to have smashed a champagne bottle over a banker's head at Les Caves du Roy club.

French police launched a nationwide search for Mr Washington but Oxfordshire police have not yet been contacted by the Gendarmerie.

The American victim Colin Hall, 35, suffered serious head injuries and was left in a coma from which he awoke a few days ago.

Mr Washington has told reporters he is desperate to give himself up but had been advised not to do so by his lawyer.

He has insisted he has no memory of the alleged events of the evening of July 23 when it is claimed that he became upset about Mr Hall talking to Laura Clegg, 20, an undergraduate at Oxford's St Anne's College.

On the day of the attack, he said he remembers drinking with a group of people including Miss Clegg but had virtually stopped by 7pm except for half a glass of pink champagne at dinner.

A spokesman for the French police confirmed he had still not been captured.

He added that Mr Hall's condition had improved.