Hundreds of staff and students from a university are expected to demonstrate today against proposed job cuts.

University of Sussex staff are staging a one-day walkout today over plans to cut 115 jobs in a bid to save £5 million in 2010-11.

More than three-quarters of the balloted University and College Union members voted for strike action last week.

About 850 students last night supported a vote of no confidence in the Vice Chancellor's Executive Group at a special meeting yesterday.

This morning, a lecturer, who asked not to be named, said: "People see the cuts as a blow to the heart of the university.

"Education should be at the heart of the university's mission, but it's being downgraded."

The support from students has been extremely heartening, to see how willing they are to support the campaign against cuts."

Tom Wills, the University of Sussex Student Union, said: "We want to defend education for anyone who wants it. "Three thousands students are going to be without a place at university this year."

Three picket lines on entrances to the campus, and at Bramber house.

The UCU says it is not aware of any members who has broken the strike.

Meanwhile, honks of support from cars going past the campus can be heard.

Up to 100 students have occupied a lecture theatre at the Falmer campus for seven days in protest against the cuts.

They are joining the protest next to the union picket line at the campus entrance from 7am to 4pm.