Students strike in fees protest

Thousands of students at Edinburgh University failed to appear at classes yesterday in a protest strike against the introduction of tuition fees.

Organisers of the event estimated that just 15 per cent of the university's 17,000 students attended lectures, forcing many departments to abandon work for the day. The history department was also closed in support of the day of action.

A spokeswoman for the university denied, however, that there had been major disruption to classes.

About 5,000 postcards protesting against the imposition of fees were signed by students and staff members, and will be delivered to 10 Downing Street.