A CRACKDOWN on the tradition of “trashing” by graduating Oxford University students is working, publicans claimed.

Trashing involves students throwing flour, eggs, confetti and shaving foam at each other when they finish their exams.

The 36 pubs in Oxford’s Pubwatch scheme called time on serving students covered in food as part of notorious post-exam celebrations in 2008.

The ban remains in place, and students are told to clean up or disrobe if they want to be served in some pubs.

Ali Dunn, manager of The King’s Arms, in Holywell Street, said: “The ban works very well and the message seems to have gone out. This has been the best year we have had.”

Stuart Scott, manager of The Bear Inn, in Alfred Street, said: “We have a policy of no food stuff, but we have no objection to silly string or confetti.

“The problem is nowhere near as big as it was. It used to be pretty horrendous but things have calmed down.”

Oxford University declined to comment on a reported incident of trashing earlier this week, which apparently resulted in an £80 fine for throwing trifle.

In 2007, the year before the ban was implemented, the university’s proctors collected £6,000 in fines from students for trashing.

The university also declined to comment on how many fines it had given out since then.