DOZENS of Huddersfield University and Kirklees College staff in Huddersfield went out on strike today to protest against proposed changes to their pension scheme.

Lecturers from the further and higher education centres abandoned their classes for the day to mount picket lines.

They joined thousands of protestors from colleges and universities around the country in the first nationwide strike for five years.

The members of the University and College Union (UCU) were protesting against changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension.

The dispute centres around attempts to raise the retirement age, increase contributions for members and bring an end to the final salary element of the scheme.

Members say they want to defend their right to a fair pension, particularly as they are already being threatened with cuts to jobs and pay.