STUDENTS turned out in force to pledge their support to lecturers who staged a one-day strike.

Members of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Eduation - at Blackburn College and Nelson and Colne College took action over pay on Thursday.

They say they are facing increasing workloads and are not happy with a non-negotiable wage rise.

They also claim their workload has risen by about 13 per cent since signing new contracts. A NATHFE spokesman said: "There was a lot of support from students and I don't think a single one refused to sign our petition."

An executive meeting of NATHFE on Monday will decide next move.

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