Durham University is offering its students online lessons on how to stay safe while working in the sex industry.

The sessions are designed to provide support and advice to staff and students.

However, Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan slammed the prestigious north east university.

“Any university that does this is badly failing in their duty to protect students.

“It is right that vital support is offered to women who are being exploited. However, this course seeks to normalise selling sex, which has no place in our universities.

“We know this is a sector that can target young women and students and trap them in the role.”

One Durham University student told The Times: ‘This could cause a real problem, making it part of university culture and making work in the sex industry a normalised activity…

‘It suggests that being an adult sex worker is another run-of-the-mill activity and is put down as an official DSU position.’