Bridgwater College has pledged to help its students worst hit by the scrapping of a weekly allowance.

Nationwide protests have met the Government's decision to withdraw the Education Maintenance Allowance; a payment of up to £30 for poorer 16 to 18-year-olds to help with education costs.

Mike Robbins, Bridgwater College vice principal, says many students there rely on EMA to support their study, transport and living costs.

He told the Mercury: “We are particularly concerned for those that have already started at college and will have their EMA withdrawn part way through their course at the end of their first year.”

Mr Robbins added that since its introduction six years ago, EMA had proved an incentive for students to attend classes and complete their courses, because if they miss a session they lose their allowance for a week.

He said it was unlikely its withdrawal would have a major impact on the number of students attending college, but he said it would cause hardship for some - particularly those with high transport costs.

“We are therefore currently considering ways in which we can provide some extra support for these students”, he added.

THE Mercury spoke to some students who receive EMA, and one said she spent part of her allowance on buying a horse.

Stephanie Keohane, 18, from Wembdon, said she used some of her allowance towards petrol but admitted she also spent some of it towards the £400 cost of buying a horse.

She said: “For me it was a bit of extra income on top of my part-time job but I think students who have further to travel will be hit the hardest.”

Her brother Conor, a student at Haygrove School, said “I'm disappointed that I won't be getting it, and I suppose my parents will have to help me out, but it won't stop me going to college - I'm really looking forward to it.”

Laura Cussons, aged 17, travels to Bridgwater College from her home in Highbridge. She said: “Without my EMA and with petrol prices rising, I will have to find a second part-time job to cover the costs, which could affect my studies next year.

“Getting to college will be a struggle”.