Thousands of students from across the North-East and Yorkshire will take part in a rally protesting against student top-up fees on Saturday.

The event, organised by Durham Students' Union, will involve the crowd being addressed by a cross-party panel of MPs from the main three political parties.

Former Government Minister and leading Labour rebel Kate Hoey, Liberal Democrat education spokesman David Rendel MP and a member of the Conservative front-bench education team will address students about plans to increase tuition fees.

Durham Student Union president Craig Jones said: "The fact that the speakers at this rally are derived from all three main national parties illustrates that top-up fees are a flawed concept from whatever political standpoint you may speak from."

The rally is timed to coincide with the build-up to the final vote on top-up fees in the Commons, which is expected just days after the rally. National Union of Students president Mandy Telford will also speak at the rally and live music will entertain students before the speakers begin.

Mr Jones added: "This rally will unite students from the whole region in expressing their frustration at politicians who knew top-up fees were destructive and wrong but voted in their favour at the bill's second reading.

"Thousands of students will be urging those MPs on Saturday to do what they know is right in a few weeks' time, add to the strength of the Labour rebellion and beat top-up fees at their last hurdle before becoming law."