Thousands of students were hit by strike action today because of a dispute over pay.

The one-day national strike was called by the lecturers' union NATFHE and affected colleges throughout Sussex.

They included Northbrook College in Worthing, Chichester College, Brighton College of Technology and Crawley, Eastbourne and Hastings colleges.

Union members voted overwhelmingly for action after rejecting a three per cent pay increase offered by employers.

The strike is the beginning of a campaign of industrial action in support of the union's claim for a flat rate increase of £3,000 for all lecturers and managers.

About 30,000 lecturers nationally were taking action today, affecting some 290 colleges in England and Wales.

There will be further disruptive action at the end of the month.

Members were picketing with 'Respect lecturers' posters and handing out leaflets at college entrances in Sussex.

Classes at some colleges had to be cancelled while supply teachers were being brought in to cover other lectures.

Peter Sheppard, assistant principal of Brighton College of Technology, this morning said he was unsure how the college's 4,500 full- and part-time students would be affected by today's action.

He said: "A small proportion of our teaching staff are members of NATFHE and although we've been given notice of the strike we don't know exactly how many people will take part.

"The students have been informed by their individual area directors that there may be a certain amount of disruption but so far there are no signs of any demonstration."

A spokesman for the Northbrook College branch of NATFHE said: "Our gripe is that we have fallen behind teachers in the pay stakes. Good luck to the teachers because they have a hard job but we are the Cinderellas of the sector.

"We have been waiting in vain for a settlement. It is more Tarnished Labour than New Labour. It is very rare that we strike. We do not use this weapon readily.

"We are aware that this impacts on our students but they will get a better deal out of us if we get a better deal from our employers.

"I do not know how big the action will be at other branches across Sussex, but the largest number on strike could be here in Worthing."

He said there would be a picket line set up at the entrance to the college, including the town centre site in Union Place.

Paul Mackney, NATFHE general secretary said: "Our members are demanding a little respect and recognition for what they've achieved, a 70 per cent increase in student numbers during the last five years.

"They've seen school and sixth form colleagues' pay fall ten per cent behind that of school teachers, themselves not satisfied.

"Lecturers do not take strike action lightly. The last thing we want to do is harm the students we teach."

A spokesman for Hastings College of Arts and Technology said: "Hastings College will open as normal. Many courses will continue as usual and all general areas of the college will be fully operational."