More than 400 lecturers at Bradford College joined those from the University of Bradford in a national walkout over pay yesterday.

University lecturers first went on strike in October when the University & College Union, Unite and Unison took action in the ongoing dispute.

Yesterday, higher education lecturers were joined by those at further education colleges.

Bradford College branch secretary for the UCU Geraint Evans said support for the strike had been “really, really solid.”

The UCU says lecturers pay has fallen by 15 per cent over the last four years. This year they have been offered a 0.7 per cent pay rise, but say as the cost of living is still rising that is “yet another cut in real terms.”

Bradford College Group chief executive Michele Sutton said the college could not afford a five per cent pay rise “However the College has increased the pay of our lowest paid staff by adopting as a minimum an hourly rate to £7.45,” he said.

At the University of Bradford Unite steward Graham Pearson said lecturers had been offered a one per cent rise.

A spokesman for the university said: “The University retains the hope an agreement to settle, or at least close, the 2013/14 round can be reached.”