KICK them out of Southampton University if they break the law. That's the get-tough message from Southampton Itchen MP John Denham who has called for a crack-down on drunken and yobbish behaviour by some students in the city.

Mr Denham has urged university authorities to get tough with groups of students whose loutish behaviour makes life a misery for inner city residents.

And he has called for Southampton Institute and University bosses to use the ultimate sanction if students are found guilty in court of anti-social behaviour.

Mr Denham said: "There are certain cases where that would be desirable.

"If people have been held up in court bringing the institute into disrepute, then authorities should probably do it."

The former Home Office minister has joined forces with Bargate councillors to spearhead a campaign to tackle drunken and loutish behaviour by groups of rowdy youngsters.

They are also urging city council bosses to get tough with thugs by using new government rules aimed at stamping out antisocial behaviour.

Under the new rules, councils could force landlords to evict tenants who make residents' lives a misery.

Residents claim students are behind the thuggish behaviour which includes vandalism to cars, loud noise late at night, and even urinating and vomiting in the streets.

Marcia Baker, a retired teacher from Cromwell Road, said: "We have noisy neighbours and antisocial behaviour.

"It is mainly noise and loud music. People play football in our street at 1 0' clock in the morning.

"We also have properties in our area that look like slums. The curtains are filthy and the gardens are overgrown and neglected."

Fellow Cromwell Road resident Nicola James, 39, added: "I think landlords should be taken to task. There is nobody to call when students are in the street at night."

Bargate councillor Richard Harris who is also a governor of Southamp-ton Institute, told the Daily Echo that only a minority of students caused problems for residents.

But he added that university authorities should expel students who commit antisocial acts.

He said: "We have good relations with a large number of students but there are a small number who cause problems.

"Some landlords do not take responsibility for their tenants. It means students are also victims of poor landlords as well."

Robyn Mills, spokeswoman for Southampton Institute, said the institute was conscious of its responsibility to the community.

She said: "Already, if our students gain a criminal conviction they can face disciplinary action with each case being judged on individual merit.

"In cases of noise nuisance and other antisocial behaviour off campus where there has been no criminal conviction, the institute has no legal enforcement powers or right to discipline - students are adults and should be subject to the same law enforcement rights and responsibilities as anyone else living in the community."

She added: "We work very closely, and largely successfully, with the city, evironmental health and the police, who have the appropriate legal powers."