More widespread action by student fees protestors is planned for December 11.

The Education Activist Network (EAA) has said parents and teachers are being urged to join in the day of action.

The demonstrations are against controversial plans for a huge hike in tuition fees and the cuts in spending which have been announced by the Government.

EAA spokesman Mark Bergfeld paid tribute to students who took part in street protests across the UK on Tuesday, including in Central London where more than 150 people were arrested after a clash with police.

Mr Bergfeld condemned police for making such a large number of arrests, describing the protests as "absolutely brilliant."

A huge protest is being planned for the day MPs will vote on tuition fees, expected before the end of the month.

Party leader Nick Clegg has declined to say how he will vote despite publicly backing the policy, amid intense efforts to find a way to maintain a united front on the issue.

Under the coalition deal with the Tories, Lib Dem MPs are allowed to abstain if they cannot accept proposals on higher education funding - an exemption Mr Cable signalled he was willing to use in the interests of party unity.

His stance has been condemned by Labour, which said it was "outrageous" for the minister in charge of a policy to contemplate not voting for it - a highly unusual departure from the convention of collective ministerial responsibility.

Prime Minister David Cameron urged MPs to start "looking at the substance of this issue rather than the process".

No students would have to pay anything upfront, all would end up paying back less per month and 500,000 would benefit from an increase in maintenance loans, he said.