The popularity of Durham University is being blamed for a lack of available property in the historic city.

Applications to the university - the oldest outside Oxford and Cambridge - rose by more than 15% in 2002 to 24,500.

But despite only 4,000 being accepted, residents' groups have accused landlords of monopolising the city's housing market.

They say too many properties are being converted into accommodation for Durham's 10,000 students.

St Chad's is one of Durham's city colleges

President of the Durham Students Union, Ben Ward, admits it is a growing problem.

He said: "Most of the properties in Durham are student properties.

"A lot of them that go on the market do get bought up by landlords."

But Mike Costello from the Crossgate Residents Association in Durham says the situation has become unbearable for people who live in the city.

He said: "This has been going on for more than 10 years and it is getting worse.

"Students don't really use a great deal of their income in Durham

"When I moved into my street it had a good family mixture. Now nine out of the 21 homes have been turned into student accommodation.

"It's not the fault of students, they have to live somewhere in the city.

"But the authorities should do more to enforce things like environmental health regulation, noise pollution and anti-social behaviour laws."