A COLLEGE that bowed to pressure to admit its first male students in its 105-year history has now moved to meet new demands for a women's-only wing.

Eighteen months after Durham University's last single-sex college welcomed its first intake of men, it is opening a self-contained wing for women.

St Mary's College, on Durham's Elvet Hill, said it was responding to the demand for single-sex accommodation for students who have special accommodation requirements, "such as health, religious or cultural reasons".

Unlike some other universities that offer single-sex floors or flats in blocks, the newly-refurbished Shepherd Wing at St Mary's is completely self-contained.

Only the students living in the wing have access to the building and others only have access by invitation.

All resident students eat together in the communal dining hall, have their own personal tutor, and have access to all the clubs and societies on offer within the college and university.

St Mary's principal Jenny Hobbs said last night: "Through our past experience of running a women-only college, and our international links, we believe that this new wing will be very popular among those with special requirements.

"Demand has already outstripped supply for next term and we've found it is popular with students for a variety of reasons, including Muslims.

"It is also particularly popular among students who are looking to live in a quieter environment, such as postgraduates, or those with health issues."

Raya Alkhajib, a 19-year-old first year law student from Saudi Arabia, who is living in the Shepherd Wing, said: "Being able to choose a single-sex wing made a huge difference to me and my parents.

"It is completely different to being in a single-sex flat or floor as in both situations there could be men living just across the hall or shared landing.

"I feel very safe and comfortable here."

Alkistis Pourtsidou, a 24-year- old postgraduate student in physics, said: "I moved from a room elsewhere in St Mary's to the Shepherd Wing because I felt I needed more peace and quiet to get on with my studies."

The Shepherd Wing, named after St Mary's alumna, Amy Shepherd, is made up of a mixture of single and twin rooms some of which are ensuite.

The Shepherd Wing will be opened by Dr Bill Bryson, Chancellor of Durham University, next Friday.