MP RECRUITS NEW STUDENTS IN FIGHT TO SAVE AMBLESIDE CAMPUS

8.38.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 22nd Sep 2008

South Lakes MP Tim Farron will be meeting new students at the Ambleside campus of the University of Cumbria this Wednesday. He will be listening to the concerns of his new constituents who have come to study at Britain's newest - and most picturesque - University.

Tim will take the opportunity to enlist new students in the campaign to save Ambleside campus - traditionally known as the Charlotte Mason College. Draft University plans would see the campus closed to undergraduate students from 2012 with over half of the University's buildings sold off.

"Losing undergraduates from Ambleside will take 600 young people out of the local community which will be bad for the local economy, age profile and vibrancy of the town. There is still time to change the University's plans - and I was pleased to have met with Vice Chancellor, Professor Chris Carr earlier this month to make the case for retaining undergraduate students. It's important that we step up the campaign," said Tim.

Tim will also be launching a new petition against tuition fees following new figures that showed University of Cumbria students to have, on average, the 5th highest debts in the country.