LANCASTER University looks set to launch a TV advertising blitz as it bids to reverse a slump in student numbers.

The university failed to fill more than 200 places for undergraduates last year, meaning it lost around £750,000 from the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Although university chiefs believe they will be able to make up the shortfall within this year's budgets, they are determined to avoid facing the same problems again.

The university secretary, Fiona Aitken, told members of the university court, including local MPs, councillors and students as well as academics, that a number of ideas were being considered to ensure the problems are not repeated.

Finance director Euan McGregor confirmed: "There has been a downturn in student numbers which means we have fallen short of our targets by more than 200.

"We are taking several steps to improve the situation. It is a very difficult problem for us to tackle."

The court also heard anger from students, who claim the university is failing to provide adequate health care provision.

They called for an inquiry into the setting up of the new 'nurse-led unit' which replaced university funded nurses working in the health centre.

Students claim they were not properly consulted about the changes and say the quality of healthcare has been reduced.