Students stage second protest

SIXTH form students from Sidmouth College marched through the town for the second time in two weeks in protest against rising university fees.

Thirty-five students walked from the college to East Devon District Council’s Knowle headquarters, with a petition containing 250 signatures. It was part of a second day of national protest.

The petition had been signed by students and people who gave their support as the group went through town. Teenagers spent a couple of hours in the town centre, before heading to Knowle to present the petition to the council.

Protest organiser Josh Gutierrez, 17, hopes to study politics.

He said such public displays of opinion were vital to show the Government the level of opposition to its plans.

“It’s important because it shows that even in a small town like Sidmouth, students are affected,” he said. “Those of us who want to go to university could be stuck with a �30,000 bill at the end of it.

“That leaves us with a massive debt most of us can’t afford.”

He said people had been supportive on the day, and urged anyone else wishing to make their opinions known to contact East Devon MP Hugo Swire.