An Oxford college president has demanded that octopus is removed from the menu as part of a drive to make disadvantaged students feel more “comfortable”.

Baroness Jan Royall, head of Somerville, said she wants to “change the culture” of the college to make sure it is “welcoming for all”.

The Labour peer told how after receiving a complaint from a first-year student about an octopus terrine dish, she instructed Somerville’s catering staff to replace it with a less adventurous alternative.

The eight-legged dish, which featured as the starter at the Freshers’ welcome dinner last year, will not appear on the menu at next year’s event.

Baroness Royall, the former Labour leader in the House of Lords, revealed the move in a blog post, titled “I am determined to move fast on widening access to Somerville”, which was published on the College’s website.

In the blog, she outlines the steps the College has taken to boost the number of students it admits from disadvantaged backgrounds, which included running a “Demystifying Oxford Day” where state school students are given mock interviews.