Students are being told to send their essays to the vice-chancellor of Sussex University because lecturers are refusing to mark them.

The Association of University Teachers (AUT) is urging students to send their work to Professor Alasdair Smith while its marking boycott continues.

The lecturers are locked in a dispute with their employers over pay.

AUT general secretary Sally Hunt was today emailing students' unions nationwide urging members to send essays to the heads of their colleges.

Jim Guild, AUT branch president at Sussex University, said: "The union absolutely regrets the fact this damaging dispute has been allowed to drag on by the employers.

"They threw AUT negotiators out of last-ditch talks in December and have steadfastly refused to reopen formal talks.

"Vice-chancellors have been awarding themselves massive pay rises and yet they cannot collectively find their way to the negotiating table.

"As students have their contract with their university, we feel it is only right they should send their essays to Prof Smith.

"He, along with other vice-chancellors, is failing to ensure students' educational provision is delivered.

"It's time university heads faced up to their responsibilities."

The union said the industrial action was having a major impact on the marking of essays and exams.

Mandy Telford, president of the National Union of Students, said: "We support the rights of the academic trade unions to take industrial action in their fight for fair pay and conditions.

"Students do not want to be taught by demotivated and underpaid lecturers and support the AUT."

The boycott, which began on March 1, has now entered its third week.

About 500 lecturers - every AUT member at the university - are refusing to mark papers.

Mr Guild said: "We are talking about several hundred, perhaps even a thousand pieces of coursework that are not going to be marked.

"If the dispute carries on, it could be thousands."

Nick Scott, of the university students' union, said: "We'd like the AUT to be let back into the talks.

"Students who are concerned or angry should bring it up with the vice- chancellor as it's the university's responsibility."

Professor Smith declined to comment.