THOUSANDS of students are expected to gather in Durham City for a rally against university top-up fees.
The event next to Durham Cathedral on Saturday, could attract campaigners from as far south as Huddersfield.
Speakers will include National Union of Students president Mandy Telford, rebel Labour MP Kate Hoey and Liberal Democrat education spokesman David Rendel.
A Tory education spokesman is also expected to attend.
The second reading of the bill saw the Government's majority reduced from 161 to five votes. Its final reading is expected to take place soon.
Durham University's student union campaigned against the proposals, which it says will deter many youngsters from higher education and leave those that do go to university heavily in debt.
Durham student union president Craig Jones said: "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 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.''
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