HIGHER education lecturers across Gwent are staging a one-day strike over pay today. Lecturers from centres including the University of Wales, Newport, are taking action. It is believed that across Wales some 5,000 lecturers walked out.

Their unions, Natfhe and the AUT, said members were furious with employers' claims that the average salary was more than £40,000. Lecturers say the majority of salaries are around £4,000 less.

A University of Wales, Newport spokesman said: "This may affect some lectures and classes. The university will take steps to ensure no student is disadvantaged." The strike is due to be followed up by an indefinite boycott of student assessment and staff appraisals.

The unions say there have been years of low pay increases at a time when universities are getting £3.4 billion extra from top-up fees and other funding.

Roger Kline, of Natfhe, said: "The only merit in the false figures has been the anger they have produced amongst lecturers."

The Universities and Colleges Employers' Assoc-iation says academics' pay is not uncompetitive and that the unions are embarking on industrial action even before this year's wage level has been decided.

It said a large proportion of the new income from fees was being spent on pay and conditions.