Police called to student protest

Students in fancy dress demonstrate at Swansea University

Police were called to a protest at Swansea University as students demonstrated over plans to move its natural sciences library.

After a march on the campus over 100 students entered the vice-chancellor's offices and chanted for his dismissal.

More than a dozen police officers were called to the university "abbey", or administrative headquarters.

The college said it was incorporating the service in the main library, but students said it amounted to closure.

The students' union said it affected the chemistry, biological sciences and geography departments.

The union said the library was being moved as part of a review of the use of buildings to help accommodate a new £30m telecommunications institute.

Every student will be affected by this Becki McKinley, students' union president

A petition of over 1,300 signatures was handed in at the office of the vice-chancellor, Professor Richard Davies, on Monday.

Students' union president Becki McKinley said: "It is a tragedy that there was no consultation - every student will be affected by this".

She claimed that it would result in the loss of 150 workstations and that the main library was already too busy.

She said the service was used by more than 200 students a day to access text books, reference books, journals and the internet.

One of those who gained access to the offices, Jonny Jones, a member of the students' union executive, said it was a spontaneous, peaceful and non-violent sit-in.

"I just hope that today shows the strength of feeling there is over this issue," he said.

The students remained inside the building for about 30 minutes. No arrests were reported.

A 1,300-name petition was collected against the library changes

In a statement the university said it was simply moving the library from one building to another just a few hundred yards away.

"Once incorporated into the main university library, where more space has been made available, students will have access to the books and materials housed in the national sciences library," said the university

It said the main library had longer opening hours "enhancing the university's services to students, not diminishing it.

"This move is about improving the facilities for students on campus."

Officers from the UK National Union of Students were at the march, as were two Welsh assembly members, Liberal Democrat Peter Black and Plaid Cymru's Dai Lloyd.