Plymouth University wants to move the arts section to a new cultural quarter at its main site about 50 miles away.

That would leave the Exmouth campus purely for students taking education degrees.

But students say they are opposed to the move and plan to stage a rally a rally in Exmouth on Saturday.

'Totally unacceptable'

Students' Union president Dave Perkins said the university's proposals should be thrown out.

"The students that enrolled at Exmouth in 2002 will have to transfer to Plymouth for the final year of their courses in 2004.

"That is totally unacceptable. It is a breach of contract and is very wrong," he said.

"The students came here because they didn't want to live in a city. They wanted a nice, quieter community such as Exmouth.

"To have that interfered with once they are already enrolled on the course is totally out of order."

University bosses are proposing to re-organise seven faculties throughout their campuses in Plymouth, Exeter, Exmouth and Seale Hayne, near Newton Abbot.

A series of meetings will be held with staff and students before a final decision is made.