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A university has been branded "beyond disgraceful" after it encouraged students to consider prostitution .

The University of Brighton allowed the Sex Workers' Outreach Project (SWOP) to run a stall at its Freshers' Fair on Tuesday and Thursday.

It offered students advice on how to become a sex worker, and gave out free condoms and lube.

The stand also invited students to play on the 'wheel of sexual wellbeing' - and prizes included underwear.

SWOP describes itself as a 'discreet and confidential trans inclusive service for women working in the sex industry who live or work in Sussex."

It also put out a series of tweets, including: "If you're topping up your fees with sex work, or struggling to balance work and studies, or want to talk and don't know where to go...

"We're here for you. We respect your autonomy, privacy and confidentiality."

The group publishes leaflets and tips on how to be a prostitute, reassuring those who are considering it.

It says: "You cannot be prosecuted for just selling sex... it is not illegal to work as an escort or to sell sexual services."

(Image: Universal Images Group Editorial)

Among critics of the idea was feminist campaigner and writer Julie Bindel, the co-founder of the law reform group Justice for Women.

She said: "This is beyond disgraceful. It makes me so angry that the sex trade's become normalised and pimped to women as though it is a harmless and respectable way to earn a living.

"There should be an enquiry by the university into this."

Others took to twitter to express their disgust.

One wrote: "What the ****? Are you seriously encouraging young people to sell their bodies to fund university? "Sex work"? Do you mention this to prospective parents and their parents at open days."

But the university's union says people have got the wrong end of the stick.

Tom Ibukun, president of Brighton Student's University Union, told the Times: "Swop was at our freshers' fair event to raise awareness of the specialist support they provide should it ever be needed.

"They were not there to advocate sex work as an option to our new students. It is unfortunate that some people have misinterpreted the attendance of Swop at our freshers' fair."

Parker Robinson, the student union's vice president, responded, writing: "Thanks for coming!

"It's important we are able to sign post students to services like this. Extortionate fees and living costs mean sometimes students can't afford basic necessities.

"It's great we're providing info for students and getting them support from a non-judgmental body."