A STUDENT occupation of a North-East university building will tomorrow enter its fourth day.

The action at Newcastle University's Fine Arts building is in protest at education cuts and rising tuition fees.

Students took over the building on Wednesday evening, hours after protest marches were held in Durham, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and across the country.

Earlier today, events staged inside the Fine Art building included drumming workshops, craft workshops, debates, a discussion on housing co-operatives, a general meeting and "alternative lectures".

In a statement, the students said: "We occupy in solidarity with all other universities across the country, condemning cuts to higher education, Education Maintenance Allowance and against a rise in tuition fees.

"Our occupation of the Fine Art building is in recognition of the devastating cuts to arts and humanities that have been proposed."

They have demanded Newcastle University issue a statement supporting the protest and condemning the cuts.

The students said their numbers had swelled to 70, morale was high, they had received support from countries including Turkey, Germany and the Philippines and negotiations were continuing with University bosses over their demands.