The days of students slumming it in filthy digs could soon be over, if developers follow one university's lead.

Student accommodation at St Andrews University in Edinburgh comes complete with a plasma screen television with cable access, leather sofas and dishwashers.

Dirty laundry is also picked up and returned the same day, a cleaner visits once a week and there is a full-time caretaker on hand to do any handywork even changing the lightbulbs.

St Andrews Student Residences, which owns the stylish digs, lets 93 rooms, to individuals or to groups.

They all comply with the new Houses in Multiple Occupation regulations, which are much more stringent in Scotland, by including fire doors and regular smoke alarm tests.

But this luxury student living does not come cheap prices start at £500 per month and rise to £1,000 for bigger rooms with en-suites.

Brian Skea, St Andrews Student Residences manager, said: "Most tenants are American. I've shown Scottish people round and some almost pass out when they hear the price.

"If you were looking to spend £30,000 on an Ivy League university or had spent £20,000 a year to send your son to Eton, £500 a month doesn't seem so unreasonable. These days I believe students see their degree as part of a career plan and this is the investment part."