OXFORD University ploughed more than £300,000 into creating Student Union offices in the city centre it has been revealed.

The University’s Estates Services has transformed the Worcester Street office over the past year to create a space for the Student Union - to the tune of £316,651.

This included an almost £100,000 bill for mechanical and electrical installations and more than £33,000 on fittings, furnishings and equipment for the new offices.

The figures were revealed as part of a Freedom of Information request submitted by student paper Cherwell.

A University spokesperson told Cherwell: "These costs relate to a project designed to improve a range of services for our students.

"The project included providing OxfordSU with additional office and meeting space, which will allow it to further develop its service for students.

"It also expanded space for University’s Student Welfare and Support Services, which includes the counselling and disability advisory services – allowing for additional appointments with students; and brought together the Welfare, Graduate Accommodation and Fees and Funding teams in buildings close to OxfordSU.

"We believe the project will benefit students across the University, and that the costs are proportionate for a project of this scale."

The offices are used by the elected sabbatical officers, staff and the student union's official newspaper Oxford Student and radio Oxide.