STUDENTS unhappy about the rising cost of education have been staging a protest in a bid to get the attention of university leaders.

A group of Durham University students who have been campaigning against increased college accommodation costs and international tuition fees staged their own “alternative open day” alongside official events organised for prospective students.

Around 15 to 20 students were involved in staging the protest, which saw them handing out alternative prospectuses to people visiting the city on Monday (June 27).

They are angry about a range of issues including the university’s decision to increase college accommodation fees by 3.5 per cent to more than £7,000 for a standard, catered room for the 2017-17 academic years and increases to international tuition fees.

Second year sociology student Richard Lowdon was at Durham train station to meet people as they arrived in the city.

He said: “The campaign has been going on for a while. When we planned the action we were hoping the university would respond but they haven’t really so we have decided to keep going.”

Fourth year student Jasmine Watkiss added: “Durham University is not particularly politically aware so we are a minority. Generally people are quite apathetic. There is a large population of wealthy students so money isn’t a problem.

“We hope to be acknowledged and for something to change but it’s not looking positive.”

The university declined to comment on the protest.