STUDENTS invaded Oxford Central Conservative Club on Saturday in a protest at the rise in tuition fees.

The Joint Protest Group, made up of about 60 students and sixth-formers, began the demonstration in Cornmarket outside Vodafone, which they accused of avoiding £6b in tax and said could have been used to educate students for free.

Police stopped the group from storming Topshop, which they also allege avoids tax. Then about 20 people flooded into the Conservative club in New Road, before leaving peacefully.

MPs voted in favour of allowing some universities to charge up to £9,000 a year on Thursday.

Protestor Louis Ramirez, 16, said: “The motion has been passed, but we are still angry and this is about telling them we are unhappy with what they are doing.”

A Vodafone spokesman said: “We pay our taxes in the UK and all of the other countries in which we operate. Reports suggesting that we have an outstanding tax bill for £6bn are incorrect.”

An HM Revenue & Customs spokesman said: “There’s no question of Vodafone having a tax liability of £6bn. That number is an urban myth.”

Gordon Harris, 76, of Ferry Hinksey Road, was in the Conservative Club.

He said: “I think they are doing their best and they have an axe to grind.”