Students looking for cheap digs could be putting their lives at risk in fire traps, consumer watchdogs have warned.

The warning follows a check on privately-owned houses in Chichester offering accommodation to university students.

The operation uncovered items such as furniture which fell below safety regulations.

The check was carried out by West Sussex County Council's trading standards department and environmental health officers from Chichester District Council.

Patrick Bligh-Cheesman, head of trading standards, said: "We were concerned that during a number of inspections of student houses, officers found the furniture failed to meet minimum flammability tests."

The department has served notices on the landlords involved in the operation and ordered unsafe items to be replaced.