STUDENTS fear their university could ban them from parking near their city centre homes.

The ban is being examined by Durham University. If introduced, students in private houses in some streets in and around the city centre would not be able to use their cars within a five-mile radius of the cathedral.

Durham Students' Union (DSU) is fighting the proposals and said the way to ease parking problems was to make public transport more attractive.

On-street parking charges and restrictions have been introduced by Durham County Council in many streets around the centre to reduce congestion.

DSU president Craig Jones said the proposal was contained in a draft strategy produced by the university and would mean students having to agree with the restriction before starting their studies.

Disabled students and those needing to drive in connection with their course would be exempt.

Mr Jones said: "Some students have part-time jobs -it is increasing with tuition fees -and need a car because they are coming home late at night when there is no public transport.

"I do not think students use cars gratuitously. I think problems of parking and congestion are caused by shoppers and commuters.

"It is only about one in 30 students who have a car and in my experience, you do not get three or four cars to a house."

He said the union believed the way to tackle the problem was to make bus travel more attractive and was hoping to have talks with operators about introducing student discounts and travel cards.

Durham MP Gerry Steinberg welcomed restrictions, and said: "I cannot understand why students need a car. Those who live in the city centre are clogging up the streets."

A spokesman for the county council said: "We are aware that there is a problem in some parts of the city, where there is a conflict between students and residents parking.

A university spokeswoman said: "Talks have been taking place with the students, but there is nothing firm on the table, no firm proposals going forward.

"Durham is a small city and students are discouraged from bringing cars into the centre before they arrive."