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Row over rival university advert in prime spot at Wolverhampton railway station

It is a key gateway to a city passed by thousands of people each and everyday.  But when visitors arrive at Wolverhampton train station rather than an advertisement for the city's university they are greeted for one which is in neighbouring Birmingham.

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Critics today said there were too many adverts for other universities on major routes in and out of Wolverhampton.

As well as Birmingham City, Coventry University has also been spotted advertising in the city.

Karl Hughes, a trainee journalism student at the University of Wolverhampton, said the advertising gives out the wrong message.

"Why isn't Wolverhampton being promoted in that train station spot?" he said. James Allen, spokesman for the University of Wolverhampton, said: "We have a variety of campaigns and the new one is 'A university of opportunity'."

He added marketing boards are usually occupied over a space of 28 or 42 weeks.

"Ours can be found all over the West Midlands at various times throughout the year.

"Eighty per cent of our student body is actually from within a 25-mile radius," he added.

Mr Allen said the university had previously had an advert at the train station and said: "We would never rule out the chance to advertise there."

Birmingham City University spokeswoman Sarah Archer added: "Our current marketing campaign is a mixed media campaign, including radio, TV and poster advertising.

"Key sites across major transport interchanges will be important areas to host promotional activity, including road and rail networks.

"'We look to the Birmingham and the region it serves as a core area for attracting students.

"The majority of our intake is from the West Midlands region and many of these students become graduates who stay and work in the area."

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