Teachers from South Thames College have been on strike as part of national action over a pay freeze dispute.

Staff from the college campuses in Merton, Tooting and Wandsworth have joined other University and College Union (UCU) members in a national strike, beginning outside their sites and moving to the Emmanuel Centre in Westminister from 1pm.

The strike comes after the Association of Colleges (AoC) recommended a pay freeze for those in further education.

The UCU argues that further education staff have suffered a real-terms pay cut of 17.1 per cent in the last five years.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "UCU members are sick of the employers' refusal to deal with the real-terms pay cuts that have blighted the sector.

"For the Association of Colleges to recommend that all of their members freeze staff pay this year was a real insult.

"Members who voted gave a clear mandate for strike action. We hope the employers will now come back to the table."

Of members who voted, 74 per cent backed strike action after the the AoC recommendation.

Marc Whitworth, director of employment policy and services at the Association of Colleges (AoC), said: "The pay recommendation made earlier this year by the Association of Colleges reflects the stringent financial circumstances in the sector and the significant external pressures on college pay bills.

"Our position reflects the feedback we had from our members.

"No further dialogue has been scheduled with our union colleagues regarding this cycle of negotiations.

"Strikes are very disruptive for colleges and more importantly for students.

"We would encourage UCU to consider how we might better work together to represent our respective members collectively.

"There is a willingness from the employers’ side to work together to protect the prospects of further education, its skilled workforce and the students it serves."

A South Thames College spokesman said: "The College recognises this is a national strike day and we have been open for business as usual."