STUDENTS and staff took to the steps of Bolton College yesterday to protest against Government plans to charge graduates to learn.

The local protest mirrored similar protests across the country aimed at raising the public's awareness of the controversial plan to introduce tuition fees for university undergraduates.

Andrew Higson, a local member of the National Union of Students, said he and his colleagues had not been swayed by the promise of help for the worse off.

He said: "All this will do is increase the student loan. It will not offer a realistic way forward."

Yesterday's demonstrations follow a concerted NUS campaign which has involved regional demonstrations against the Government's plans.

In March students at Bolton College unanimously answered a call to boycott their studies for a day.

Yesterday's day of action was organised by the Stop the Fees Campaign, an organisation dedicated to the right to a free education for all students and the reintroduction of grants to students.

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