SCUFFLES, arrests, criminal damage and a tense stand-off with police marred a demonstration against education funding cuts in Colchester.

About 600 students marched through the town centre for the second time in six days to protest against the Government’s plans to slash student grants.

Students from Colchester Sixth Form College, Colchester Institute, Colchester Royal Grammar School and Essex University, who had been warned not to miss lessons to take part, were involved in the two-and-a-half-hour stand-off with police yesterday.

About 100 police officers were deployed, including plain-clothed officers and evidence gatherers, who filmed the protest.

Two people, aged 16 and 18, were arrested and were being questioned by police.

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