A YORK students' union has won national praise for an innovative campaign to reduce noise and antisocial behaviour by students.

York St John's College's SSHH! Silent Students = Happy Homes! Campaign, which reduced residents' complaints by 80 per cent, has been recognised by the National Union of Students and adopted by almost a dozen universities.

The SSHH! Campaign was launched in 2002 after residents claimed students caused "havoc" during term time, making late-night noise, leaving litter lying about, and urinating and vomiting in the street.

The campaign, which continues to run, involves a number of initiatives to remind students of their duty to respect the local community, with security staff patrolling areas around the college and all Students Union publicity material carrying the SSHH! logo.

Students leaving clubs and late license events have also had their hands stamped with the SSHH! logo and given lollypops to keep them quiet, and children's TV character Zippy introduced as a mascot for a wide range of SSHH! entertainments.

Students' Union President Jessica Chapman, and her predecessor George Brichieri, have presented the SSHH! management plan to more than 800 general managers, officers and staff at NUS training events, with unions in Lancashire, Oxford and Chester among those adopting the brand.

Jessica said: "The Students' Union has worked hard over the past two years to help reduce concerns of local residents. We feel our strategy has enabled us to deal with complaints effectively and we are extremely proud of our work, but we will not become complacent. It is fantastic so many Students' Unions have adopted our campaign and that we have gained national recognition. We are delighted to be able to share our SSHH! Campaign as we want it to help benefit as many communities, and students as possible."

Ian King, of the NUS, said he was struck by the simplicity of the campaign and congratulated the York students on their originality and hard work.

Updated: 10:54 Saturday, November 29, 2003