STRIKING lecturers are urging the principal of Richmond College to put education first as they campaign against proposed restructuring and job cuts.

On Monday, lecturers at the Egerton Road college picketed the gates to oppose planned cuts which they fear will increase class sizes, cause redundancies and reduce the pay of junior managers.

As they head into another round of negotiations with principal David Ansell, they are asking him to put the reputation of the college and the quality of education first.

The lecturers believe that cuts are being made unnecessarily, as the college has millions of pounds in its cash reserves.

The chairman of Richmond branch of the University College Union (UCU), David Carrier, said: "What we want is to make sure there's an education service that is feasible and reasonable.

"We have gone back to the principal with different proposals, almost meeting the amount of money he wants to save, but we now want to know how this structure will work.

"This is what the discussions have always been about, how the structure will work. If you cut down on front-line services and make your savings, where's the delivery going to come from?

"How are we going to maintain our reputation of excellence and quality if the frontline services have to pay for it? Why should we have money in the reserves when we don't have teachers in the classroom? We have the highest proportion of students going to university from any college in the country, and we don't want to put their education at risk."

A parents' evening due to take place on Monday evening was cancelled because lecturers were striking .

Mr Ansell, said: "I believe the union is responding in an irresponsible way to the management's plans to ensure that the future of the college is financially secure.

"My concern is to ensure a sustainable future for the college and allow our professional and valued workforce to continue to serve young people, business and the wider community."

He added: "Even in these uncertain times, the college is committed to ensuring that all students receive the highest quality teaching enabling students to fulfil their personal ambitions, whether to go on to university or go straight into employment."