Students at Glasgow University have taken a protest to the institution's principal over planned staff cuts at the faculty of biomedical and life sciences.

The university principal was presented with a petition signed by students, staff and supporters.  They say that the projected cut of 18 staff from a total of 120 will not only affect the staff concerned but will also jeopardise the academic careers of students.

The issue has been raised by a number of MSPs at Hollyrood, including Pauline McNeill, Bob Doris and Bill Wilson, who lodged motions, while others have contacted the university principal and education secretary.

Details of the job cuts are expected at the end of July.

A spokesman for Glasgow University said: "The University is continuing to explore all options and hopes that any redundancies will be voluntary, but nothing can be ruled out.

"We are proud of the world-class education we offer students and want to take this opportunity to reassure them that we would not do anything to threaten that – we will not allow an unacceptable impact on teaching.

"Like others, we are in a very tough financial climate and it is important to act now as any delay would make cuts even more difficult in the future."