A PEACEFUL protest over proposed cuts and job losses at Nelson and Colne College has been hailed a ‘massive success’.

Callum Bates, 21 organised the ‘protest of performance’ in response to a proposal by the college to axe its music and vocational performing arts departments.

The move, made in light of Government funding cuts and increased financial challenges, will see a number of people made redundant.

Yesterday’s protest involved a three-hour showcase of music, dancing and monologues on the back of a truck on the visitor car park at the Scotland Road campus.

Musician Callum, who until last year was enrolled on a BTEC National Diploma in music, said plans for more events were already in the pipeline.

He said: “There were a few complications with the principal Lyn Surgeon.

“But we resolved them by doing what we promised - presenting a peaceful protest. The acts ranged from jazz to blues to soul.

“And the monologue went down particularly well.

Everyone had a chance to have their say.

“There were some really big crowds, with people coming and going between lessons. A number of tutors and a governor came down to have a listen.”

The aim of the protest was to demonstrate the wealth of talent the college has helped develop since the doomed departments were established.

“It was a massive success and hopefully we managed to get our point across,” said Callum, who is a member of the local band, UNM.

Staff at the college who belong to the University and College Union (UCU) are expected to stage a walkout on Thursday in response to the Government cuts and changes to pensions.

Callum said that a number of students aare also planning to stand side-by-side with their tutors during the walkout.