Students have taken over a lecture theatre as they protest against high fees set by Scottish universities.

The group include representatives from Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews universities who occupied the room at the University of Edinburgh on Friday afternoon.

They say they will stay in George Square Lecture Theatre until they "have entered into constructive dialogue with decision-making bodies".

Around 20 of them sat in the theatre discussing their demands. One of the first issues was how to get food and drink into the building. Banners were drapped from the building and the students said they would stay "indefinitely".

It comes after institutions across Scotland decided to charge students from the rest of the UK £9000 a year to study.

Mike Shaw, an Edinburgh University student, said: "We will remain in occupation until our demands of Edinburgh University and Holyrood are met."

A student at Glasgow University, Amy Westwell, has also joined the group.

She said: "In Scotland, we take great pride in our universities for their excellence and accessibility. The extent to which fees have been raised is disproportionate to the financial needs of universities: this move undermines the values of the Scottish education system."

A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: "The University attaches great importance to freedom of speech as long as points of view are put across in a safe and lawful way."

IN DETAIL

• University of St Andrews to charge £36,000 for degree
• Aberdeen University to charge students £9000 a year
• Edinburgh University both to charge higher fees