AN angry mother has hit out at university bosses after her son was given an ultimatum over his accommodation.

Mary Smith’s 19-year-old son Gary has been living in a Travelodge in Hatfield since he started the first year of a biochemistry degree at the University of Hertfordshire in September.

According to his mum, he has now been told to move into student digs in London Colney – or face being ‘homeless’.

The university presently has around 200 students without a permanent place to live – although half would soon be moved to London Colney.

But Mary, who lives in Chelmsford, said it was “too far” from the uni for her son to live and study effectively.

“It isn’t satisfactory for a fresher,” she said. “The first year is a wrench – you are moving away from home and are completely self-sufficient.”

Mary, 52, described the treatment of Gary, as “outrageous”.

“It isn’t acceptable – these are the people of our future. They have chosen to come to university for extra education and this is how they are being treated.

“It is despicable.”

Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps said he had been contacted by Mrs Smith and confirmed he would be investigating Gary’s case.

He said: “I am concerned about it. It sounds like a very worrying situation.”

A university spokeswoman said: “We are continuing to move students to Ridgeview, a new and refurbished accommodation close to the campus and on the university bus route.

“While we are encouraging students to move as it will give them experience of living in student halls, those who have viewed the accommodation and are unhappy to move can speak to allocations who will discuss their options.”