STUDENTS at Bolton Institute may stage a mass walk-out next week after bosses decided to make staff cuts.

People are concerned the quality of their courses could suffer if tutors quit and are considering leaving their lecture rooms in protest.

Principal Mollie Temple has confirmed staff at the Institute have been offered a "voluntary severance" package, to cut down on expenditure on employees.

This money will be invested in other areas, such as improving accommodation, social facilities and learning resources.

Mrs Temple would not reveal how many people would be leaving after Christmas, but it is known between 15 and 20 are required to quit across the Faculty of Arts, Science and Education.

One third year student, who wished to remain anonymous, said people were concerned they may have to change subjects they hoped to take in the spring because lecturers who specialised in that topic would be leaving.

She said many signatures had been added to a petition.

She added: "There was no mention of these changes when students enrolled on modular courses in September.

"As a result, third year students are left without lecturers for the last part of their course which finishes in the new year."

Philip Ng'andu, president of the Students Union at the Deane Road institute, said his members had been kept in the dark over the past few weeks about the staff changes.

He has now had the situation clarified by the principal and a statement issued by her had been circulated to students.

He said: "Some people have stressed they are concerned and there have been some suggestions about what we could do.

"We will see what the reaction is to this statement before confirming if anything will happen."

Mrs Temple said students at the Institute had nothing to worry about.

She added: "Our staffing levels will remain way above the average for universities.

"We are excited with the way our strategic plan is developing and we are delighted with the quality and excellence of our teaching."