STUDENTS have welcomed a university's dropping of proposals to ban them from keeping cars.

The ban was a proposal Durham University had been looking at to solve parking problems in and around the centre city, particularly in areas of student rented housing.

The idea was strongly criticised by Durham Students' Union (DSU), which said some students needed cars to get to part-time jobs.

The two sides have reached agreement to extend the system whereby students need permits to keep cars.

A university spokeswoman said: "The proposals aim to discourage some of the present car usage in central areas of Durham by extending the university's current licensing system.

"The proposals include limiting the allocation of licenses to students living out to no more than two per residential address, in line with other local parking restrictions, within an agreed designated area of Durham City.

"The designated area will be agreed in consultation with Durham Students' Union where it is considered reasonable to walk or use public transport.''

The draft proposals have been agreed by all parties and will be considered by the university's governing body, the University Council, in June.

DSU president Craig Jones said: "We are completely against a ban on cars, but a limit of two cars per household is very fair."

Efforts are also under way to secure discounted fares on bus services for students.