University staff in strike action

The university said it had to ensure pensions were sustainable

Staff at the University of Sussex are taking further strike action in a dispute over pensions.

The action is in response to a move by the university to close its existing pension scheme to all new starters, the trade union Unite said.

It comes after a walkout last week in which staff went on strike for a day.

The university has said pension changes are needed to avoid "huge liabilities". It said it had to ensure pensions were affordable and sustainable.

Unite national officer Mike Robinson said: "Our members are determined to defend new starters' rights to a decent pension and to stop the erosion of their existing scheme."

The action on Friday was due to start at 0800 BST.

Pickets were planned to disrupt the laboratories at the main campus.