Aberystwyth Arts Centre: Staff row protest blocks road

Protesters closed the main route into a university campus to show support for staff they claim had been suspended.

Dozens of people stopped traffic by walking back and forth on zebra crossings near Aberystwyth University.

Campaigners say Aberystwyth Arts Centre's director Alan Hewson and operations manager Auriel Martin have been suspended since February.

The university and Mr Hewson announced on Friday that he will retire, but it has not confirmed any suspensions.

Saturday morning's protest coincided with the institution holding its first open day.

For 10 minutes just after 11:00 BST on Saturday, the protesters walked over the crossings into the campus where the arts centre is based, forcing vehicles to be diverted.

Aberystwyth Arts Centre is based on the university's main campus

Most of the protesters wore red and some carried signs calling for Ms Martin to be reinstated.

Previously, nearly 2,000 people had signed a petition calling for the pair to go back to their jobs.

On Friday, Mr Hewson announced his retirement after 28 years of heading the centre.

The arts centre was in the headlines in February after police stopped a dance music event temporarily when they were told a baby was in the audience.

The university said at the time that music at the Black House gig was stopped so the mother and baby could be found, but it is understood they had already left.

The protest forced vehicles to be diverted from outside the campus