STUDENTS bracing themselves for A-level results day have been told not to worry about a university lecturer's strike which threatens to wreak havoc with the clearing system.

Traditionally, students who have received better - or worse - grades than predicted have used the UCAS clearing system to snap up any left-over places at universities around the country.

But this year members of the Association of University Teachers have decided to strike today (Thursday) - results day, and tomorrow.

And they are refusing to undertake any work relating to late admissions.

Their stance is expected to trigger a major delay in the clearing system at some universities, while some experts have warned that students may miss out on sought-after places if they can't confirm their place before the end of the week.

But students at the area's colleges, who are today coming to terms with their results, have been told they will receive all the support available.

A spokesman for Preston College, based on St Vincents Road, Fulwood, said: "We will have our own career advisors, people from CareerLink, senior staff and counsellors on hand to make sure students have people to talk to to sort everything out."

At Runshaw College in Leyland, tutors are quietly confident that everything will pass of without a hitch.

College spokesman Jim Smith said: "When we first heard about this strike we were quite worried but we have contacted several universities and it appears that many of the local centres don't have that many lecturers within the AUT.

"Students have been contacting us but we have been able to reassure them that we will do everything we can to make sure things run smoothly."

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