BOURNEMOUTH University has been accused of monopolising the lucrative student rental market after two major letting agents were excluded from an open day.

Roberts Letting Agents and St Quintin and McConnell were denied permission to meet prospective students because they are in direct competition with the university's new letting service. Undeterred, they sent staff up to the campus to hand out leaflets but were promptly asked to leave.

Both firms claim the decision denies university students a proper choice of accommodation and also reduces the economic benefits the university is supposed to generate for the town.

Jeremy Seear, managing director of Roberts, said: "The University were quite open about it, they said they wouldn't be inviting us this year because we compete with their own letting scheme. "But the open day is not about competing businesses, it is about offering students good accommodation. They are just adjusting the rules for their own benefit. The university is there to promote the town, not to stop people doing business."

And Carl McConnell, director of St Quintin and McConnell, said: "We are in exactly the same situation as Roberts. We weren't invited this year, even though we normally are. "It seems unfair and unjust - not only on us but on the students too. By 1pm, we were getting lots of students calling us because no-one down at the university had any five-bedroom properties, which are one of the most popular types of accommodation.

"They quite happily invited 10 smaller agents but they didn't want us because we are the bigger competition. To me, that's not right or fair."

A Bournemouth University spokesperson said: "This year Bournemouth University launched its new letting service. This allows us to ensure that all rented accommodation for students meets the necessary criteria and standards. "At its recent accommodation open day BU invited several small agencies to ensure sufficient supply for our students. We are pleased that the day has been successful in housing students through the BU letting service and the other invited agents."