HIGH winds and heavy rain were not enough to put off an intrepid band of house-hunting students outside North Oxford Property Services this week.

Students gathered in force from Sunday afternoon outside the estate agents in Walton Street ahead of viewings starting today.

Now in its 26th year, the tradition sees scores of young people queue overnight for some of the best flats and houses to rent next academic year.

North Oxford Property Services purchased four gazebos to keep them out of the rain and staff have served them up breakfast each morning.

Company director Robin Swailes said houses will go on a first-come, first-serve basis from 9am.

He added: “They have a bit of fun and a sing-song. It has become a bit of a tradition.”

At 7am this morning about 20 young people were still gathered outside the office ahead of its opening at 8.30am.

Holly Mackay, 19, who is studying politics, philosophy and economics at Somerville College, Oxford University, said she was queuing on behalf of eight people in search of two different houses.

She said: "I got here at 5.30am. It's not been too bad, drizzling at times. Apparently it was pouring last night. 

"Our JCR were really sweet; they brought us Domino's. The people that were here overnight actually got a better deal."