AROUND 100 staff, students and union representatives joined a protest against cuts to jobs and courses at City College Brighton and Hove.

The college is undergoing a consultation period and has announced losses of up to 50 full- time jobs and cuts.

Principal Lynn Thackway has said the consultation was necessary to return the college to a position of “financial health”.

Itziar Leighton, a commercial director at the college who said he was made redundant on Wednesday, told protesters: “I’m really sad to be here, but I’m also heartened. I don’t know if you know how powerful you are. I’ve sat in on management meetings and I know how much they pay attention to protests like this.

“What we are fighting for is the people and the community of Brighton, so they don’t have to suffer from these cuts. I’ve got absolute faith and belief in you.” Officers from Unison and the University and College Union (UCU) also spoke at the protest in the college car park in Pelham Street.

Vice-principal Rebecca Conroy said: “We are aware that this is a very difficult time for our staff. We will work hard to keep the lines of communication open.

“Our focus remains on our students, ensuring that this final term is a successful one and that all our students have plans in place once they have completed their programmes into jobs, higher education and further courses at the college.”