PROTESTERS from colleges across the region descended on Parliament today.

Hundreds of students and teachers called on MPs and ministers to plug the funding gap between colleges and school sixth-forms. Colleges receive 10% less per student than schools for running the same courses.

Students from Huddersfield Technical College and Calderdale College in Halifax were among the demonstrators.

They were also campaigning to protect adult learning which could lose some funding if Government plans are passed.

Chief executive of the Association of Colleges, Dr John Brennan said: "Colleges from across the country demand fair funding for older and younger students alike.

"The average college would gain more than £500,000 per year if the funding gap between school sixth-forms and colleges was closed.

"In addition, current Government funding plans for adult learning would lead to fee rises above inflation, course cuts, fewer concessions for older learners and less support for associated costs such as childcare and transport."