A FORMER University of Worcester student said he felt “cheated” to learn that his student union membership was not for life, as advertised.

Hugo Sugg, aged 27, who graduated in November 2016, said that after posting screenshots referencing ‘lifetime membership’ from the university’s own website on Twitter, the section was removed from the site.

The student union said that describing membership as ‘lifetime’ was an error on the website.

Mr Sugg, formerly of Worcester, was homeless on the streets of Hereford when he was just 18, following the breakdown of a relationship.

He said: “I am proud of my University of Worcester heritage and education and being a member helps me feel like a part of something that was and still is a huge chapter of my life, especially after my homelessness when I was 18.”

Worcester Students’ Union admitted the information given on the university website about lifetime students’ union membership was a mistake but said it was clear in their 2013 constitution that once a member is no longer a student, they are no longer part of the union.

Mr Sugg said: “I feel a bit cheated out of my membership and I did not ever have an opportunity to have my say on the constitution.”

Mr Sugg, who has campaigned for more to be done to help the homeless, set up the the ‘Justice for Cardon’ campaign after rough sleeper Cardon Banfield was found dead in a tent in Worcester in 2016.

He also stood as an independent candidate for Hackney South and Shoreditch in the General Election 2017.

Euan Morrison, vice president of education at Worcester Students’ Union, said: “Unfortunately, the information given on the university website about lifetime students’ union membership was incorrect.

“We liaised with the university, which removed the incorrect information and we explained this on our Facebook page.

“We want to reassure all students, past and present, that there has been no overnight or hasty move to change the terms of membership of the students’ union, which is enshrined in our constitution; this was, rather, a miscommunication that has been rectified.”

He added: “Our constitution (adopted 2013) clearly states that once a student ceases to be a student, they cease to be a member of the students’ union.”

The university said that no changes in reference to lifetime membership were made when the 2013 constitution was adopted.

It was unable to confirm how long the error had been on the website.

“Through the university, the many benefits on offer to University of Worcester alumni include access to the careers service for up to three years after graduation and use of the library services.”

To see the Worcester Students’ Union constitution visit, www.worcsu.com/yourunion/aboutwsu.