A flood of students taking up late courses are swamping housing supplies in some university cities.

Several universities are calling for buy to let landlords to step in with help to house the late comers.

While Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, is sending students to the Pontins holiday camp at Southport to ease overcrowding.

Student self-catering at the camp costs around £70 a week for sharing a chalet between three or £130 a week for a private, one-bed apartment.

Edge Hill has around 25,000 students attending courses, with 1,000 bed spaces on campus.

A spokesman said: “Edge Hill University offers its own accommodation in over 1,000 rooms on campus. However in a year when we have experienced further increases in demand for our courses, there is a number of students looking for options off-campus.

“The university helps students in this situation by providing contact details for accommodation providers, and transport to see options in the region. Pontins has indicated that rooms may be available and we have passed on information and taken potential students to see what they have to offer.

“Students would have contracts with these providers and the university cannot comment on the take-up of their places, or other specific arrangements.”

Universities and letting agents in Liverpool are struggling to cope with inquiries from 20,000 students.

In Lincoln, 200 students face a move in to temporary accommodation like hotels and bed & breakfasts if landlords cannot find rooms for them.

The university has sent out email messages pleading for staff and local students with space to spare to take them in.

“More people are asking for help with finding accommodation this year, with fewer people living at home with their parents,” said a statement.

“Every year we see students holding offers of accommodation that they then do not take up, so the team is reallocating places as soon as they become available to the next people on the waiting list.

“The university is also taking the measure of sourcing additional accommodation, including temporary accommodation, that will enable people to come to the city for welcome week while they are waiting for a permanent room.”

First year students in York face similar problems in the hunt for accommodation.

“We would like to hear from former students in York, either in their own house or in rented accommodation, who have a spare room and are willing to help a new student when they arrive in October,” said a university spokesman.

Universities in Aberystwyth; Nantwich, Cheshire; and Cumbria have already announced accommodation problems.