AN ARMY of angry students took to the streets of Preston to demonstrate their disgust at plans to make them pay their own University fees.

Around 100 undergraduates from the University of Central Lancashire as well as college pupils turned their back on lectures for the remarkable rally.

They marched to Preston's Flag Market (yesterday) in a local show of solidarity as part of a national protest expected to attract two million people.

Their complaints have reached fever pitch after Government plans revealed they may have to pay up to £1,000 a year each - a move which could affect thousands of students in the Preston area.

Gavin Moorghen, president of Preston College Student Union, said: "It's disgusting. There'll be lots of people who will not bother with university because they will not be able to afford it. Everyone has the right to free education."

Campaign co-ordinator Abigail Aitken, of the university's Student Union, said: "I can't believe it. This is the death of free education."

Preston College student Charlot Podmore is hoping to study maths at Liverpool University. Now she may not be able to go.

She said: "I'm disgusted. It's bad enough with grants being cut. Now no-one is going to go to university."

University vice-chancellor Brian Booth was unavailable for comment. However he is a member of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals (CVCP).

CVCP Chief Executive Diana Warwick slammed the protests. She said: "Any attempted shutdowns were misguided. Student contributions towards tuition costs are the only realistic way of maintaining long term higher education."

Preston College also refused to back the rally and said anyone missing lessons would be marked absent.

But a spokeswoman admitted: "These plans will affect our students as they go on to higher education."

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