COLLEGE lecturers in Gwent were on strike today in support of more pay.

Many students at Coleg Gwent missed out on classes as their teachers joined colleagues across the UK in a protest over a 3 per cent pay offer after asking for 7.5 per cent.

Lecturers not members of NATFHE were working as normal. The lecturers who are striking all work in colleges of further education and belong to the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education.

The University of Wales College, Newport, is not affected. Picket lines formed this morning at Coleg Gwent campuses as news broke that the further education committee of UNISON's Cymru/Wales had also called on its national committee for a ballot on action.

At Coleg Gwent's Newport 'Nash' campus a small band of NATFHE pickets were at the main gates early this morning, handing out leaflets and talking to people entering the site.

Roy McCabe, chairman of the Newport 'Nash' branch, said he expected the 400 members of the union at Coleg Gwent to support the strike. He said: "We have not had the rises teachers have had over the last six to seven years. Even this year they are getting 3.7 per cent. Our members' patience is coming to an end, they are saying we must do something."

Mr McCabe said the lecturers from Coleg Gwent campuses were also expected to join colleagues in a lobby of the National Assembly for Wales at noon.

UNISON represents non-teaching staff in 25 further education colleges in Wales. It has also submitted a pay claim for 7.5 per cent or a £1,000-per- annum increase. Again, employers have offered 3 per cent.