STUDENTS and school pupils in Huddersfield walked out of classes yesterday in protest over increases to university tuition fees in England.

And organisers warned the protest was just the first in what would be a “mass campaign of strikes”.

The majority of the 50 or so protesters were from the Socialist Students organisation, Greenhead College and Kirklees Save Our Services campaign group.

They gathered outside the University of Huddersfield campus with placards shouting: “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts”.

The group were among thousands of students across England who staged a “day of action” in protest against Government budget cuts which could push university fees up to £9,000 a year.

Local socialist Mike Naylor organised the Huddersfield protest and said: “We have united and shown solidarity with protesting students across the country in order to build an ongoing campaign against devastating cuts to our education system.

“Our aim is to build a mass campaign of opposition which can force this government to back down.

“The Lib Dems made a pledge in the last election not to put up fees and they have gone against their word and not even attempted to fight for it. We will not let them forget their betrayal and will build a movement that can stop the fees increase.

“This is only the next step in a mass campaign of strikes.

“We appeal to all pupils, students and the wider community to support our struggle to stop appalling fee increases and cuts to education.”

The protest was not linked to Huddersfield University or the Student Union.

One passing student, who did not want to be named, said: “I agree with the cause, but I don’t see the point of them protesting at the university where most people already agree with them.

“I don’t think it’s going to achieve much. It’s not the university’s fault what’s happened. Maybe if they were in town they might have made a bit more of an impact.”

Huddersfield Student Union president Matt Christie distanced himself from today’s protest.

He said the Union’s campaign against high fees was ongoing and he was confident university bosses were behind the students.

He said: “The main priority for our vice- chancellor, Bob Cryan, is the students and he is on our side. Our fight isn’t against Bob and his team – it’s with the government.”