BLEARY-EYED students who are woken by building work on their campus have been given as much as £500 in compensation.

Undergraduates living in Essex University’s North Towers, at Wivenhoe Park, have been given a payout after months of disturbance.

Students say noise from a £5million building project wakes them up as early as 7am.

Now the university has agreed to grant a total of £161,600 to 388 students in rent reductions.

Mark Bergfeld, campaigns officer at Essex Students’ Union, who led an anti-noise demonstration in March, said: “It was important students voiced their concerns because the university seems to think they won’t mind about all the noise and disruption.

“Although the compensation is good and will be appreciated by students, who are under financial pressure, we are still worried the noise will continue during the exam period in May and June.”

Builders started work, converting an underground boiler house into 20 new teaching rooms last September.

The project is being fast-tracked so the new facility will be ready in time for a fresh in-take of students this autumn.

Vicky Passingham, spokeswoman for the university, said the project had to be completed as soon as possible because there was an urgent need for more teaching space.

She added: “In recognition of the disruption, the university has agreed to give £500 per room compensation to those living in Rayleigh and Keynes Towers, and £100 to students living in Wolfson Court.

“This follows £25 goodwill payments made to all north campus residents before Christmas after disruption to electricity, internet access and water supplies.

“The university apologies for the inconvenience caused, but looks forward to providing 20 fully-equipped new teaching rooms to meet students’ needs for the autumn term.”