Students from universities and colleges in Canterbury joined forces on Saturday to protest against tuition fees and debt.

The Canterbury United campaign saw members of student unions from Canterbury College, Canterbury Christ Church University, the University of Kent and the University of the Creative Arts march through the city.

Carrying placards and shouting "Love Canterbury, Hate Debt", they ended their protest in the Dane John gardens, where they were addressed by Aaron Porter, vice-president of the National Union of Students, with responsibility for higher education.

Outlining the state of university finance, Mr Porter said if debt increased any further students would make their further education choices on the grounds of finance and not courses.

He said: "We were very pleased with the turn-out on the march and lots more students said they would have joined it but they were working to try to make ends meet.

"Most people, including students, think it is only fair to contribute towards tuition fees but the average debt held by students when they left university in 2009 was £22,000, and that is more than enough. The vast majority of politicians got free education or grants but it is not like that for us."

The march was followed by a well-attended debate at Christ Church University's library at Augustine House, where the speakers included Mr Porter and MP Julian Brazier.

For the full story see this week’s Kentish Gazette.