Three Oxford University students who jumped into a swollen stream are being told to make amends.

The trio - Ryan McCrickerd, Joe Wellington and Thomas Wherry - had to be rescued from Castle Mill Stream in the city centre by police after the jape in the early hours of Friday.

Pc Paul Phillips, of Oxford Police, condemned them at the time and now the dean of Lady Margaret Hall, Christopher Shields, is pressing them to do some sort of community work as punishment.

Mr Shields said: "The students are duly contrite and reflecting upon their actions and I want them to do something appropriate to address their indiscretion.

"The college treats this matter with the utmost seriousness and I will be encouraging them to carry out some form of community service - I have no doubt they will comply.

"I think it would be appropriate if they helped the council with preparing flood defences and I am discussing the matter with the authorities at the moment."

However, John Kelly, the county council's emergency planner, said the college's offer had been declined for health and safety reasons.

The undergraduates, who had been drinking, received £80 fixed penalty notices after being rescued.

The students themselves were unavailable for comment.