A shortage of multiple occupancy housing in Scotland's cities is fuelling an accommodation crisis among the nation's student population.

Student leaders in Glasgow are warning that plans by the city council to restrict further planning consents for houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs) in the west end will lead to the "ghettoisation" of students.

Struan Campbell, accommodation representative for Glasgow University Students Association, said: "The Glasgow city plan that they are currently consulting on would not allow any more HMOs in the west end.

"That will have huge consequences for students at Glasgow University. It means students will have to go further out and if they don't want to go further out then they are going to have to take properties that are not under HMO and are therefore not monitored and you are likely to have someone trapped in a fire because the place is not up to standard."

He said restricting HMO numbers now represented a step backwards, adding: "It is the ghettoisation of students."

Josh MacAlister, president of Edinburgh University Students' Association, said there was a massive shortage of student accommodation there, too.

Student numbers were increasing but the council had not responded to it "either in service provision or in giving planning permission to developers who will build affordable housing".