Cambridge University students are working as strippers, prostitutes and escorts in order to make ends meet, according to the prestigious establishment's student newspaper.

The university said it read with concern a report in the student weekly Varsity, that said it had spoken to "cash-strapped" students who found taking their clothes off a "quick and easy" way to make money.

Dr Rob Wallach, secretary of the university's senior tutors' committee, said: "I was very concerned to read the report. Senior tutors would want to do everything they could to give support to students well before any found themselves in such a situation."

The report also stated that a "plethora" of undergraduates were raising money by selling essays, which Dr Wallach assured was "strongly discouraged".

Varsity said it spoke to one student who "admitted" spending her first year as an undergraduate working as a £50-an-hour call girl.
"I did have a day job at the same time, but it just wasn't paying enough," she told the newspaper.

"I met other students who did it too. Once you've done it, it is tempting. If you need quick, easy money, it's there."

Varsity said it found another undergraduate who collected "up to £100 per dance" while working as a stripper.

It said one escort service claimed to have more than 400 Cambridge students and graduates - charging as much as £300 a date - on its books.

And the newspaper said the practice of selling essays was "widespread" at the university.