A DELEGATION of students from two local colleges presented a petition to Bury North MP David Chaytor in opposition to education cuts.

The 100-name petition is part of a joint protest by Holy Cross and Stand colleges.

About 30 students went to see Mr Chaytor at Bury Town Hall last Friday, October 17.

They are angry about cuts which will see them having to pay fees and take out loans when they go to university.

Holy Cross student Esther Meredith, (16), challenged Mr Chaytor about the situation.

She said: "The new Government promised us that the priorities would be education, education and education.

"But in reality this is not the case. We have a right to education which should be available to everyone, not just the privileged few who can afford it.

"The changes that are being made are not in the interests of students."

Mr Chaytor, who is in France on holiday this week before Parliament resumes next Monday, will discuss education issues with members of the Holy Cross student council on November 7. Students are hoping he will back them in their opposition to cuts.

But on a previous visit to Holy Cross Mr Chaytor said he was "not fundamentally opposed" to the fees principle. He did, however, call for them to be introduced gradually and for the cash raised to be re-invested in education.

The Government looks set to slap a £1,000 annual fees bill on students and the student maintenance grant - which students claim was already very low - is being phased out.

The National Union of Students believes that the introduction of tuition fees and the abolition of grants is the biggest attack on students' rights and free education in the last 20 years. It is thought that the plans will hit students from poorer families and dissuade them from moving into higher education.

Students are planning a huge regional demonstration against tuition fees for Saturday, November 1, at Whitworth Park in Manchester.

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