A NORTH-EAST university is looking for the prankster behind a spoof notice which has been circulating on the Internet.

Durham University said it was checking to see if there had been a misuse of its computer system after the false notice came to light about a fortnight ago.

The notice warns people against "masturbation in showers" after several blockages in the showers in university accommodation.

It warns that culprits will be traced "by means of DNA matching if the problem persists" and asks students who "wish to masturbate to do so in the comfort of their own homes, rather than the showers".

The warning purports to come from the university's estates and building director.

A university spokesman said last night: "We are aware of it. It is clearly a spoof and it has caused offence.

"Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make it look as though it is genuine.

"It does use a real name of the director of estates and building and has caused quite a bit of offence to him.

"We understand it has appeared on a website - not a university site - and that students are sharing it by e-mail. Checks are being made to see if there has been a misuse of the university's IT system. That would be an offence."