A DRUNKEN student who set fire to his Huddersfield University room has been locked up.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Jamie Lambert, 19, used lighter fuel to start the fire in the accommodation block at Storthes Hall Park, Kirkburton.

Fortunately, security staff put the blaze out before any major damage was caused.

But prosecutor Graham Lumley said that if they not responded quickly things "may have got out of hand".

Lambert, of Marlborough Road, Rugby, Warwickshire, pleaded guilty to arson, being reckless as to whether lives would be put at risk.

Sending him to a young offenders' institution for 21 months, Judge Shaun Spencer said it was not clear why he started the fire.

But other students had said he had drunk "a phenomenal amount".

The judge added: "The risk of harm to other students in the flats was not high, because of the structure of the building.

"The prime danger was to the security officers."

Mr John Elvidge, for Lambert, said the act was not that of a sober mind.

He said Lambert, who was of previous good character, was having difficulty adapting to university life. He was also affected by the loss of a close family friend.