Students, staff and trade unions across Shropshire were set to join together in protest today against Government plans to axe an education grant for the country’s poorest teenagers.

Colleges and sixth forms across England were expected to hold lunchtime protests against the scrapping of the Education Maintenance Allowance, a weekly grant of up to £30 given to some students.

The EMA is given to 16 to 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged homes to help them stay in education.

Principal Martin Ward, from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, said students would be deciding this morning what form their action would take.

He added: “It could potentially have an impact beca-use 450 of our students, a third, receive EMA. It covers the costs of transport, books and equipment.”

On Friday Greg Molan, principal at Shrewsbury College, sent an e-mail to all full-time students encouraging them to unite at today’s nationwide protest – as long as they behave responsibly.

Mr Molan claimed much of the attention has been placed on the backlash against proposed higher fees – but he warned the bigger worry concerned the future of the EMA funding.

It comes just days after tens of thousands of demonstrators descended on Parliament to protest at the Government’s plans to treble university tuition fees.

Shropshire combat hero Ricky Furgusson launched a stinging attack on student rioters who desecrated war memorials. Corporal Furgusson, 25, last week received the Military Cross for bravery from The Queen.

The soldier, from Stirchley, Telford, lost both legs, an eye and several fingers, in a bomb blast.

He said: “There are people the same age as the protestors getting killed in Afghanistan. This kind of behaviour is totally out of order. I know the students are trying to make a point . . . but that doesn’t mean they can go running around trashing memorials.”

At Coleg Powys, which has campuses in Newtown, Llandrindod Wells and Brecon, no protests were planned for today.

By Emma Kasprzak