STUDENTS from Southampton’s two universities have taken to the city’s streets to launch a public campaign against increasing tuition fees.

In a “flash-mob” style event, shoppers outside WestQuay’s Above Bar Street entrance watched as a dozen students froze in position before another team ran past wearing masks.

The publicity stunt came ahead of a big debate in Southampton with the city’s MPs about the proposed increase of top up fees. The students want politicians to pledge against further hikes.

Organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) with the University of Southampton and Solent University, it was one of ten debates taking place across the country until December.