STAFF at Bradford College will strike tomorrow in an ongoing row over potential job losses.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the college will be protesting outside the David Hockney Building from 7.30am, before moving to Leeds later in the day.

A rally will be held outside Leeds Art Gallery at 12.30pm with speakers including UCU president Liz Lawrence and TUC regional secretary Bill Adams.

The college is consulting with staff over proposed redundancies, which the Union said could mean up to 140 people lose their jobs.

But the college says there are no planned redundancies in the courses it provides and that many of the proposals will enhance services whilst reducing costs.

UCU regional organiser John Giddins said: "Colleges are experiencing some financial difficulties at the moment, but the answer is to work with us to explore all the options available - not to start axing staff.

"Strike action is always a last resort but, in the face of redundancies and lost opportunities for local people, our members feel there is no other option."

Bradford College will remain open for the day and scheduled classes and exams will go ahead.

A spokesman for Bradford College said: "Any form of industrial action is regrettable and is something that Bradford College has been working with the unions to avoid.

"The industrial action is due to the unions making unrealistic demands on the College to guarantee that there will be no compulsory redundancies as part of our Operational Improvement Plan.

"This plan has involved a thorough and detailed process over a number of months, which has included benchmarking with sector best practice. "Whilst the College will continue to work hard to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible, guaranteeing jobs over ensuring the College effectively responds to the challenging environment would be wholly inappropriate.

"We are determined to ensure that the College continues to be regarded as one of the leading colleges in the country.

"There are no planned reductions in the courses the College provides and many of the proposals will enhance services whilst reducing costs."

She added the College had significantly reduced the number of people potentially facing compulsory redundancy.

The union has not said how many staff will strike.