STUDENTS at the University of York have started their lives on campus in the wrong rooms.

About 131 undergraduates started the term in temporary accommodation after hold-ups with building work.

There were 84 freshers expecting a room in the new Bleachfield development, who have been placed in temporary accommodation on campus. The 47 students expecting a room in Langwith A block have been placed in a hotel until construction of residential blocks is completed.

Students whose accommodation blocks have not been completed will stay in shared rooms in Goodricke, Derwent and Wentworth Colleges, as well as rooms in the National Science and Learning Centre (NSLC), as well as Franklin House, near Alcuin College, which normally acts as a hotel for conference guests.

Due to the late running of kitchen refurbishment, the 47 Langwith A block residents spent their Freshers' Week commuting to campus by University-organised coach from the Holiday Inn, on Tadcaster Road.

The delays are due to the wet weather in June and July and to the deployment of specialist workers to flood damaged areas in other parts of the country.

Two of the Bleachfield blocks were completed on time and students have moved in.

Student Union president, Anne-Marie Canning, said: "I have been involved in all the contingency planning which took place once the university realised the accommodation may be behind schedule.

"I am not aware of any complaints and students have had the situation explained well to them.

"They have met their roommates and fellow students and have dealt with it well."

The Vanbrugh accommodation blocks are currently on a staggered completion schedule, which will see residents of Block 3 being allocated their rooms on October 26, Block 5 on November 16 and Blocks 1 and 2 at the start of the spring term.

The displaced students will also be provided with meal vouchers.

University spokesman David Garner said: "Students' welfare is our paramount concern and the university has put contingency plans in place to deal with the situation.

"Completion of work to refurbish one of the blocks in Langwith College has been slightly delayed due to the complexities of working in a 40-year-old building.

"The students should all be in their new accommodation by mid-November.

"Rooms in temporary accommodation are organised so that students are grouped with those who will become their neighbours in Vanbrugh and Langwith.

"We are confident that students will not be adversely affected by these temporary arrangements."