HUNDREDS of students faced the prospect of having their classes cancelled today and tomorrow as lecturers at Bolton and Bury were due to go on strike over low pay.

More than 100 lecturers were expected to man a picket line at the Bolton Community College, Manchester Road, campus with an additional 18 staff due to strike at the Victoria Road site in Horwich.

And a further 100 lecturers at Bury College were taking action with classes at the college's Woodbury and Millennium centres facing disruption, although exams will be unaffected.

The two days of industrial action have been organised as part of a national strike at further education colleges following a 1.5 per cent pay increase offer.

A ballot by the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education union resulted in a 65 per cent vote for action in support of their call for more pay.

Talks between the union and the Association of Colleges collapsed last week when the AOC claimed there was not enough money available to improve its offer.

Despite being opposed to the strike, the AOC has said it is "angry and frustrated" over having to pull out of the negotiations due to lack of cash from the Government.

A survey carried out by the NATFHE found that more than half of its members earn less than £25,000 per year and 22 per cent are paid less than £15,000.

NATFHE regional official Colin Gledhill said: "I know there is very strong feeling in Bolton and we are expecting a good turn out there."

Community college principal, Alison Bowes, said Bolton Community College, with the co-operation and support of lecturing staff, would make sure the college continued to operate as normally as possible.