A university's plans to increase student numbers and develop its campus have been presented to a group of MPs.

Vice-chancellor of Leicester University Professor Robert Burgess led a delegation of senior representatives to the meeting to launch the university's £1billion development framework plan.

The university's building programme is one of the biggest ever undertaken in the sector and Prof Burgess said this would strengthen Leicester's position as a research intensive university committed to widening access to higher education.

Prof Burgess said good quality higher education could not be achieved without a good quality environment.

Since 2002 the university has had a £300m development plan and the capital investment plan is continuing apace with an additional £700m investment over 20 years.

Prof Burgess said: "Once complete, this development will establish the University of Leicester in a commanding position that will set an example for other top universities to follow.

"We intend to show that it is possible to be an elite institution without being elitist – something that no other high ranking research-led university has achieved so far."

The plan outlines proposals for investment in the campus over the next two decades with Leicester's student numbers rising to 25,000 and floor space increasing by 50%.

The event was hosted by Leicester South MP Sir Peter Soulsby and Harborough MP Edward Garnier and included North West Leicestershire MP David Taylor; Leicester East MP Keith Vaz; leader of the city council Ross Willmott; Eccles MP Ian Stewart; shadow minister for skills in the conservative innovation, universities and skills team Dave Evennett and Brigg and Goole MP Ian Cawsey.