The boss of an international languages firm has flown to England to investigate claims that foreign students are living in caravans.

Jesper Sjostrom, director of Stockholm-based tuition company EF, visited the firm's base in Hove yesterday to speak to staff.

The visit followed an investigation by The Argus which found foreign students were staying in two caravans in Addison Close, Lancing.

Councillors are now demanding a probe into EF students' living conditions.

EF pupils are charged up to £1,380 for four-week courses, with the cheapest two-week courses starting at £570.

Their fees cover accommodation either in college residences or with host families.

But many have complained their living conditions were not what they expected.

Two Spanish teenagers studying for four-week English language courses told us they were surprised at conditions inside the Addison Close home.

One 17-year-old said: "It's very cramped, very busy. Some people are happy enough, but a lot aren't."

His 15-year-oldfriend, said: "Luckily I'm not in the caravan. I've never been in one and I don't think I'd ever like to."

Adur district councillor Sue Alexander pledged to raise the concerns at the next council meeting.

She said: "These students are paying to live with a family, not to be stuck in a caravan.

"When I was looking after students, we were always told they had to have a room each."

Joy Hayler, owner of the home, said two students were staying in one caravan, with one German boy in the other. She refused to comment further, referring all enquiries to EF.

A spokeswoman for Adur District Council said environmental health officers were willing to investigate and take any necessary action.

Mr Sjostrom said he would not comment on the claims until he had considered his findings over the weekend.

EF provides teaching courses across the South of England, Europe and America.

EF Language Travel, in Farman Street, Hove, welcomes around 4,000 students every summer on its two-week and four-week courses.

But each year it has to appeal for volunteers to act as host families for students.