STUDENTS living in temporary accommodation on the University of Lincoln campus have been rehomed at a 24-bedroom mansion.

As reported in the Echo, this year's student intake far outstripped the accommodation available in the city.

To help the issue, the university created Festival Gardens and Delph Gardens – two temporary villages of cabins to house the students until more permanent accommodation could be found.

Now, after making a deal with accommodation provider ClubEasy, the university has been able to rehome 24 of the students into a four-storey period property situated in South Park.

The building had been earmarked as luxury apartments, but has now had a refurbishment to turn it into a halls of residence with views of the South Common and Lincoln Cathedral.

It comprises two spacious lounges, two kitchens, large rooms and original features including wood panelling and carvings.

It is the first in a series of new accommodation solutions, with more due to be announced by the university.

Chris Spendlove, registrar at the university, revealed that alternative accommodation had already been secured for around 75 per cent of the 200 students in the temporary villages.

He said: "I am delighted we are able to offer this excellent choice for our students.

"Thanks to the efforts of the accommodation team and our partners across the city, three quarters of the students who were originally on our waiting list have secured permanent accommodation that they will be moving into in the next few weeks.

"We will have made offers to all of the students in temporary accommodation before Christmas."

One of the students moving into the mansion house this weekend was 19-year-old Nicholas O'Connor, who said he appreciated having the temporary accommodation, but was looking forward to moving in to a permanent home.

He said: "My first reaction was that I was happy to have a place to live. It was fine, but I didn't think I would be there that long.

"Now I'm just happy to be living in a house and staying in one place for the rest of the year, not living out of a suitcase and having a warm place to work and relax that's clean."

Nicholas O'Connor, who is in his first year, also said that staying in Festival Gardens had allowed him to mix with new people.

He said: "Living in the cabins has meant I've made a new group of friends, so that's the silver lining."

ClubEasy manager Tess Hebblewhite said: "ClubEasy is pleased to assist the university with additional accommodation for the first-year students.

"We believe the university handled this situation exceptionally well in housing the increased demand for first-year student housing and we will always do what we can to ensure students are provided with safe and secure accommodation."