Oxford University students used coffins and fake blood in a macabre protest against the "death of free education".

The Halloween-style demonstration took place outside the Sheldonian Theatre in Broad Street, where hundreds of this year's freshers were taking part in the traditional matriculation ceremony.

The stunt was the third successive matriculation day protest at the University, and was designed to highlight the effects of introducing top-up fees and abolishing maintenance grants.

To show their support many matriculating students wore gold ribbons on their traditional sub-fusc outfits - the customary uniform for the age-old ceremony.

Oxford University Student Union said the demonstrations would continue until the Government changed its policy on funding higher education.

Saturday's protest followed the Russell Group report, which recommended the introduction of an American-style funding system with top-up fees of up to 5,000.

Student Union president Kirsty Mc Neill said: "The introduction of tuition fees and the abolition of the maintenance grant have seen access to higher education fall significantly. The Russell Group's recommendations to introduce differential top-up fees will go one step further in making education a commodity only the rich can afford."

OUSU spokesman Jeff Glekin said: "The demonstrations symbolise the death of free education.

"We are hoping the University will come out and condemn the idea of top-up fees."