Students from Bath Spa University staged a street performance to protest over public sector spending cuts.

Second year drama students performed in front of Bath Abbey as part of an applied theatre module.

The 15-minute piece was designed to make people aware of cuts to the arts, with the Arts Council having its budget reduced by 15 per cent.

Richard Carter, 22, from Twerton was one of the students involved in the project.

He said: "We wanted to demonstrate the harm that the cuts have on people, especially those associated with the arts."

The students attached ribbons to the outside of the church and wrote details of cuts on them.

Richard said they had some interest from shoppers.

He said: "It went well, and we had some interest from passers-by.

"After our performance we were applauded, which was good."

However, the mood was soured by another incident which took place before the show.

A woman student was mugged and had a few pounds stolen as she set up the show.

A man was later arrested by police.