STUDENTS were ‘satisfied’ with answers given by Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle about his u-turn on an election pledge to vote against any rise in tuition fees.

The Liberal Democrat MP was invited to University of Central Lancashire’s Burnley campus yesterday to speak to students about a number of issues including why he voted in favour of the hike, which will see universities charge £6,000 upwards per year.

The president of the university’s branch of the National Union of Students, Michael Palmer, described the meeting as ‘positive'.

The meeting was open to Burnley constituents and students at the Burnley campus.

It was initially feared that elected student union members could not be involved, but it was agreed that they could be present but would not be able to ask questions unless they were Burnley constituents or Burnley students.

Students in the area held a number of peaceful protests, including one outside Mr Birtwistle’s surgery, demanding answers.

According to the union, the MP said he did not know the country was in dire straits and was on the brink of collapse financially when he first signed the pledge.

Mr Palmer said: “It was a positive meeting which went on for over an hour and I think feedback was positive.

“Students realised that was the best they were going to get out of him.

“Students were satisfied with what they heard and it was a good meeting.”

Mr Birtwistle was unavailable for comment yesterday.