The young Leeds University demonstrators wore ginger coloured wigs in imitation of red head landlord Rory Aitkens, who they say owes the money.

Gathered outside Mr Aikens's former rental shop LeedsStudentHomes.com on Headingley Lane at Hyde Park in Leeds, they clanged pan lids and drummed out lyrical rants to the delight of passers-by.

"Rory owes us .... is it under here?" was one slogan penned on a worn-out mattress brought to the stunt as a dig at Mr Aikens's explanation that "owed" money had - in part - been spent on replacing expensive orthopaedic mattresses.

Mr Aitkens has maintained that unreturned deposits can be accounted for in terms of repairs and administrative charges. Student deposits have continued to challenged this, branding costs as unfair.

LSH has since closed and YourStudentHomes.com opened in place of the rentals firm at the same Leeds address with a different management team.

Mr Aitkens is now working in property sales at Bevan, less than a mile away on Otley Road.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "It's total fabrication. All it is is some people who think they can try it on, demanding deposits back.

"All the people who have paid the bills and did no damage have received their money in full."