They are the most recognisable structures on the UEA campus - and even appeared on the front cover of a top 10 album.

However, the landmark ziggurats at the University of East are set to remain shut off to students for the next academic year amid fears over crumbling concrete.

The halls of residence inside the ziggurat were shut last September, with students scrambled into alternative accommodation after government guidelines were changed over public buildings containing reinforced autoclave aerated concrete (RAAC).

The material has a lifespan of around 30 years and experts warned it could significantly weaken after this, leaving buildings at serious risk of developing structural problems.

The crisis, which also saw the closures of Nelson Court and Constable Terrace, resulted in around 700 students moved just days before the new academic year.

The university has since spent £2m on remedial works across the campus, meaning more than 200 closed-off rooms will be ready to welcome back students in September.

Eastern Daily Press:

But while the rooms in Nelson Court, Constable Terrace and Broadview Lodge will be able to re-open, the ziggurats - which appeared on the cover of 2011's Computers and Blues by The Streets - are set to remain out of action.

Stephen Wells, director of estates and facilities at UEA, said: "We are looking into all possible cost-effective options for the ziggurats.

Eastern Daily Press:

"The RAAC is more prevalent within them than any other of our buildings and the Grade-II * listed status of the buildings adds complexities.

"Of course, we would love to be able to reopen them but the safety of our students is paramount - we won't be housing anyone in Norfolk or Suffolk Terrace until it is absolutely safe to do so."

The closure saw many students move off campus, into the newly built St Crispin's House in the city - while others were found alternative homes within the university grounds.

Mr Wells added: "I want to pay tribute to our estates and accommodation teams, who deserve a huge amount of credit.

"They moved extremely quickly to make a difficult situation as smooth as possible."