LIBERAL Democrats in New Forest East have highlighted the party's promise to scrap tuition and top-up fees for students.

A poster promoting the pledge was driven through Totton on the side of a van that is making a nationwide tour of key constituencies.

Lib Dem candidate Brian Dash, who is pictured left with supporters, said: "Tuition and top-up fees can deter young people from going to university or affect the courses they choose.

"The more expensive ones leave students with a greater degree of debt - and they're often the courses we need to sustain our economic prosperity.

"People will think twice about going to university if they are likely to leave with £15,000 of debt."

For more local news from the 2005 General Election campaign see pages 8 & 9 of today's Daily Echo.