A UNIVERSITY official has condemned moves to increase students' tuition fees.

Professor Derek Fraser, vice- chancellor of the University of Teesside, criticised calls by some universities to introduce top-up fees.

The Middlesbrough university was one only a few in the UK to speak out years ago against the introduction of fees. It has built up a £500,000 means-tested hardship fund to help struggling students.

Prof Fraser launched his attack against the new proposals yesterday, at the start of a week of academic awards ceremonies in Middlesbrough Town Hall. He said the university had won widespread recognition for the work it is doing to widen participation - work that could now be undermined.

"In the recent higher education national performance indicators, the University of Teesside was recognised as one of the most successful in the country for attracting students from diverse educational and social backgrounds," he said.

"It is because of that commitment to widening opportunity that the board of governors, our academic staff and our Students' Union are so firmly opposed to the introduction of so-called top-up fees.

"I am convinced that to increase the financial burden on students will inhibit access from the very groups which we, and the Government, are seeking to attract into higher education."