A ROW has broken out between students and management at Burnley College over plans to launch a 'Stop the War' coalition.

The wrangle broke out after college bosses said students would not be allowed to meet in a room at the college.

The meeting was scheduled to take place today at noon in Student Services and students said they were determined to turn up as planned.

They have also been putting Stop the War posters on noticeboards but have been told to take them down as it is against college policy. The college has said the group is from outside the area and did not book the room in the correct way.

John Rees, a national Stop the War coalition speaker based in London, and Norma Wilson, Greater Manchester regional CND organiser, were due to be guest speakers at the meeting.

Stalls have been held outside the college all week featuring a music system playing anti-war songs and petitioning against nuclear war and UK arms sales to India and Pakistan.

The Stop the War coalition was instrumental in organising the huge demonstrations in London against the bombing of Afghanistan and is building opposition to America's plans to bomb Iraq.

Julian Clissold, assistant principal at the college said: "The group did not go through the proper channels to book the room. The college have never been approached formally by this group so consequently we withdrew the use of the room.

"The posters were taken down as it is against college policy to put up anything which is not college-related."

Mary Black, who organised today's meeting, said: "Any attempt by management to stop it taking place will be seen as an outrageous attack on the right of students to organise their own political activities.

"The college allows a BNP councillor who represents a right wing fascist organisation preaching race hate to attend the college. Yet students in favour of peace and justice are being censored. The meeting will go ahead as planned."