The Australian team taking part in the Disability World Athletics Championships in the city say living conditions in one hall are so poor that they have been forced to move to a nearby hotel.

But a spokesman for the University of Birmingham, Frank Albrighton, defended the facilities.

"What we have here is a small number of customers who were unhappy about the facilities," he said.

Students preparing to move into the halls had nothing to worry about, he insisted.

"Our halls of residence are competitively priced and among the best in the country.

"They are popular with the students and conference delegates who fill them."

The Disability World Athletics Championships, which began on Monday and are being staged at the city's Alexandra Stadium, have attracted 1500 competitors from 66 different countries.