Job fears spark lecturers' protest

University lecturers in Sunderland are holding a rally to protest against possible job losses.

The demonstration comes after union leaders claimed cuts at the city's university will mean compulsory redundancies.

A meeting between staff and university management is planned following the rally.

A spokesman for the university and college lecturers' union NATFHE, said about 40 staff were taking part in the demonstration, outside the university's Langham Tower.

He said the union was angry at the threat of compulsory redundancies, which it says shows higher education remains severely under funded.

The protest comes during fresher' week - the beginning of the new academic year - when new students arrive on campus.

Sunderland University caters for about 16,000 full and part-time students.