By David Fuller BBC News Online, Oxford

I think they gave it to a city that needed the money and jobs more than Oxford David Gentle

There were no tears and recriminations after it was confirmed that Oxford's bid had failed to win over the Capital of Culture judges.

In fact, the feeling on the streets seemed largely one of relief.

Walking to work in the city centre after watching the announcement on breakfast TV, Eleanor Robson said the city did not need the award.

"Oxford has a lot going for it, but we already have too many tourists, how would we cope with any more?" she said.

The judges praised Oxford for its beauty, architecture and emphasis on science, but said they were looking for something bigger in size.

But Colin Jenkins had an even blunter assessment of the city: "Most of my friends don't come into Oxford anymore, because it's so full of tourists and beggars.

"I think Liverpool won because they're proud of their city, a lot of Oxford people don't really like the place."

It was a really strong bid and I think it should have won Jasmine Waddell

Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, said: "These things are so much a question of perception.

"We think Oxford is a very lively, modern city but actually it's perceived as being rather old-fashioned and elitist and so on."

Many people thought that Oxford didn't need the title.

"Oxford has some incredible architecture but is that culture?" asked David Gentle.

"I think they gave it to a city that needed the money and jobs more than Oxford."

It fell to a foreign student to stick up for the city.

Jasmine Waddell, from Rhode Island, USA, said she was very impressed with Oxford.

"This is a very cultured place, it was a really strong bid and I think it should have won."