A complaint has been lodged with Aberystwyth University after one of its societies held an “offensive” ‘chav’ social night.

Aber Snow held the ‘chav’ event last Tuesday, 11 February.

It drew criticism and complaints, with one student describing it as “derogatory”.

One student, who asked not to be named, said he complained, calling the event “demoralising and offensive”. He said he understood there had also been other complaints.

The university confirmed a complaint had been received, and the Students Union said it “takes any allegation of discrimination very seriously”.

The student told the Cambrian News: “As someone who grew up in a council estate I just found it demoralising and offensive.

“I’m the first person in my family to go to university so it’s a very different culture being suddenly surrounded by overwhelmingly middle-class students.

“When I heard about the Chav Social, I just felt so alienated that people would use working class people as caricatures in such a derogatory way for their own amusement; it reminded me that I didn’t really belong in the student body and it made me very conscious that people at the university viewed my community like that.”

He added that the event had been reported to the students’ union.

A spokesperson for Aberystwyth University said: “The university has received a complaint relating to an event hosted by the Aber Snow society.

“The complaint has been referred to Aberystwyth Students’ Union to which Aber Snow is affiliated.”

The students’ union said it hadn’t received any complaints, but a spokesperson added: “Aberystwyth Students’ Union provides an exciting and safe environment that is inclusive to all students and takes any allegation of discrimination very seriously.”

The Aber Snow society has been asked to comment.