UNIONS have warned of more disruption to education in Exeter after lecturers joined a strike yesterday.

Several classes were cancelled at the University of Exeter due to action by members of the University and College Union (UCU).

Pickets lines were created at the Streatham Campus and at St Luke's over proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme.

The UCU was unable to confirm the exact number of its members taking part but says around 500 university workers are members.

A second day of action planned for tomorrow will take place at both the university and Exeter College.

The UCU is campaigning against moves to raise the retirement age for academics, increase contributions and end the final salary pension scheme.

Exeter was one of 47 English universities taking industrial action.

Nova Gresham, UCU regional official in the South West, said: "I was out on the picket line and we were talking to students and members of staff about the changes. There was a good level of support for the action."

Barrie Cooper, an assistant director of education in the maths and computer science department, was one of those out on strike.

"What the proposed changes effectively mean is that those members of staff who might take a career break will have a less generous pension than those who do not, even if they pay the same amount into it," he said.

"It is unequitable, when university campuses are meant to be fair places. It is unnecessary because the pension fund is in good shape and a lot of people at the university are on short-term contracts, so it will affect many people."

Members of the Exeter Anti-Cuts Alliance joined the protest. The group was formed to oppose any cuts being made by the Government, which it believes will affect "living standards".

A spokesman for the University of Exeter said yesterday that the vast majority of its staff were not involved in the strike and it had not had a major impact.

A spokesman said: "A very small number of lectures have been cancelled today as a result of strike action, but most have gone ahead as normal."

He said the university had hoped to be able to offer as full a range of services throughout both days, although some teaching might be cancelled.

The strike comes ahead of Saturday's union-organised march in London against public sector cuts, including job losses and pension changes, which will be attended by more than 100,000 people.