A university has told its students to stop defecating in the showers and dustbins, blaming the problem on the “multi-cultural population”.

Students at the University of Strathclyde were warned over their inappropriate toilet habits, and told that that although “different countries have different practices”, they should be aware that “here in the UK the accepted practise is the use only the WC”.

The email, sent by the operations management team at the university's Technology and Innovation Centre on Thursday, raised concerns following complaints from cleaners at the state-of-the-art facility.

“Given the incidence of people pooing in bins, showers and the likes – can I please remind all TIC [Technology and Innovation Centre] occupants that the toilets have been provided for that specific purpose,” students were told.