Hundreds of students uprooted by Hurricane Irma are to continue their studies in Preston.

Medical students have decamped to the University of Central Lancashire since the devastating storm hit the island of Sint Maarten in the Caribbean.

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The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine has seen UCLan come to its aid.

Students will be allowed to complete their Autumn term in the UK, working with the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

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650 students, all displaced by Irma, will be housed in university halls of residence or accommodation in Preston city centre.

UCLan vice-chancellor professor Mike Thomas said: What’s happened to their island and the whole of the Caribbean is utterly devastating. We pride ourselves on being a University that is always willing to help our community, be it local, regional, national or international. This situation is our chance to offer help to people whose lives have been turned upside down through a natural disaster.”

Work is ongoing to gain final permission for the course to be accredited and ensuring existing timetables for UCLan students remain unaffected.

President of the AUC Student Governors Association Rob Barronon said: “We are all incredibly grateful to UCLan for welcoming us to Preston. The intention to move an entire medical school across the Atlantic in a matter of weeks is incredible and shows the resilience of AUC students who have been through a very traumatic time. We are looking at our time at UCLan as a new adventure and I am sure we will be well taken care of.”