Bradford student nurses are to sleep on the street on Friday to protest against poor pay and conditions.

The group is expected to join nurses from across the region in a 'Big Sleep' outside the Department of Health offices at Quarry House, Leeds, from 6pm.

The protest follows a survey by the public services union Unison which found that 75 per cent of student nurses in Bradford have been forced to take on extra work to subsidise their £4,800 annual bursary.

Sixty five per cent said they were in debt with about 60 per cent owing at least £1,000 and a quarter more than £3,000.

Unison regional officer, Karen Towner, said the event would be a vigil to draw attention to their plight.

She said: "At a time when health trusts are scouring the world for qualified nursing staff, potential and existing staff in this country are turning their backs on the NHS.

"The sleep-out will show how desperate student nurses are to get their message across to the public and the government that they are the future of the health service and should be nurtures, not left behind in terms of pay and conditions."

Students have resorted to second jobs as waitresses and cleaners in addition to completing their 37-hour working week and nursing assignments, she added.

Unison is now calling for a £9,000 to £10,000 salary and benefits such as maternity leave and a pension scheme in line with other NHS staff.

Sharon Benstead, from the regional offices of the Royal College of Nursing, said staff were counselling more students as the cost of living rose.

"The biggest problem for them is finance," she said. "They end up having to take jobs and that does affect them as they're obviously tired from trying to subsidise their bursaries."

A spokeswoman from the Northern and Yorkshire NHS Executive said students had a right to protest and student nurses were no different.

She said: "Their student life can be challenging but, ultimately, a career in nursing provides continuing professional development, job security, good employment prospects, a good pension scheme and the satisfaction of supporting and helping patients when they are ill."