HUNDREDS of college students were at home today after lecturers voted to strike.

More than 120 tutors at Dewsbury College opted for action after a new pay deal failed to be delivered.

Lecturers at the college, at Halifax Road, balloted for a two-day strike because pay scales to bring them into line with teachers have not been implemented.

The walk-out coincided with strikes at 13 other colleges across the country.

It comes after the Association of Colleges, the college's employer group, agreed a pay deal with the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) two-years ago.

Pay scales were to be introduced to help narrow the 10% pay gap between college lecturers and school teachers.

Barbara Hall, Dewsbury College branch secretary for NATFHE said: "We are angry that the college has not managed to come to a formal arrangement about this.

"We have been waiting a very long time and they should have been put in place last August.

"We want to be brought into line with teachers in schools, because we are paid 10% less."

Lecturers at the college, which also has a campus in Batley, have so far only received a 3% cost of living increase.

Martin Broome, vice principal at Dewsbury College said: "Although Dewsbury College has made 4.6% and 3% pay awards to employees in 2003-4 and 2004-5 respectively the College has not been in a position to implement the other element of the pay negotiations - the harmonisation of staff pay on to a single pay spine for all employee groups - within this timescale.

"The College is not alone in this situation and has had to look carefully at the affordability of harmonisation as have many other colleges in West Yorkshire.

"Although harmonisation will not be achievable in 2004-5, constructive discussions with NATFHE representatives in the College have been taking place in recent months with a view to resolution of the pay issue for the future."