STUDENTS are being forced to sleep in a reading room at the University of York because of a lack of accommodation.

A "temporary dormitory" was set up when about a dozen foreign students arrived to find there were no places for them in halls of residence or flats.

One member of staff, who would not be named, said: "The student intake at the university exceeds the amount of accommodation available.

"These people had to sleep in a room which was converted into a dormitory."

The University of York said the students had been provided with safe storage for their belongings along with bathroom facilities.

It stressed the accommodation, in a study area at Wentworth Halls, was temporary and was being provided free, although the students were expected to pay for their own meals at a restaurant on site.

Students' Union president Micky Armstrong said: "I am very unhappy that students are having to stay in these conditions. It is the first time anything of this nature has occurred at York.

"But I am encouraged by the large steps that the university has taken to find accommodation for these few students.

"What we now have to do is work with the university to ensure that such a situation is never repeated."

A university spokesman said: "The reason this has happened is that these international students missed the September 15 deadline to apply for university accommodation.

"The accommodation office believed they were making their own arrangements and staying in private rented houses so no places were saved for them.

"We had no spare accommodation so we decided to provide a temporary dormitory for a short period.

"Within three days, four students had already found their own rented accommodation.

"It is hoped the remaining eight or so will be re-housed very soon.

"Either they will form groups and take homes in the private sector, or university accommodation will have been released by other students who have not turned up."

Updated: 10:04 Saturday, October 15, 2005