Residents are furious that coaches turning up for a schools' rugby competition used a track out of bounds because of foot and mouth.

They say they have been observing the regulations and not using the lane off Edgeway Road, New Marston, Oxford, which is a popular spot for walking dogs.

But on Saturday, dozens of coaches went along the track to get to Exeter and Hertford College sports grounds, two of the venues for a national schoolboys' Mini-rugby tournament hosted by Oxford University.

The track leads to Park Farm where farmer Lawrence Blackman keeps a herd of 60 calves.

A foot and mouth no access sign has been posted near the end of the lane, with disinfected straw laid down nearby.

University director of rugby Steve Hill, who organised the tournament, said they had been cleared to host the event by the Ministry of Agriculture.

But residents were not impressed. Dr Jane Dark, of Edgeway Road, said: "It is infuriating. Local people have been very careful not to use the lane. We have been avoiding the area because of the sign.

"This lane is normally very popular for people out walking their dogs. But everyone has been very respectful and aware of the issues. We are just furious that this can happen."

Hundreds of schoolboys, many from the country's top public schools, came to Oxford for the under 18s and under 16s mini-rugby competition. Exeter and Hertford College grounds were two of nine venues being used in the city.

Mr Hill said: "It is possible one or two coaches went right to the end of Edgeway Road and missed the turning into the grounds. But we were careful with the arrangements.

"The college groundsmen were happy and I was in contact with the Ministry of Agriculture who gave it the OK. There were four or five teams from rural-based schools who dropped out because of the fear of spreading foot and mouth. But the rest were from town and city-based schools."