STUDENTS at the Warrington campus of the University of Chester will graduate as planned next month after a national pay dispute was resolved.

There had been concerns that students would not be able to graduate from their course after lecturers refused to hand out course marks in a row over a proposed pay increase.

But after an agreement was reached between lecturers and employers for a pay increase of 13.1 per cent, the University of Chester's Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Wheeler said: "The University is delighted that a resolution to the dispute has been found and that the interests of students have been safeguarded.

"All students will be assessed, will be able to receive their results and will graduate in the normal manner.

"The settlement is a significant milestone in recognising the contribution that all staff make to the work of UK universities.

"The three-year agreement provides staff with a realistic settlement well in excess of current public and private sector wage settlements over the next three years."