The Occupation of a Birmingham University building by disgruntled students intensified yesterday as reinforcements broke through security to join the sit in.

They were protesting at the university-backed court summons of occupation co-ordinators Simon Furse and Hattie Craig.

An injunction sought by the university to impose a 12-month protest ban on campus was granted by the court. Mr Furse and Ms Craig were not made to pay any fines or costs.

The occupation was ongoing at the time the Star went to press - with protesters still in discussions about whether to ignore the injunction and carry on with their actions.

Around 120 protesters arrived at the occupied building at 2pm yesterday in a solidarity rally for the original participants.

Protesters pushed their way through security barriers and briefly occupied the great hall, while others joined with the 30 students who have been residing in the senate chamber since Wednesday.

A group of around 40 students also occupied the university's staff house, according to witnesses.

The protests were organised with the Autonomous Students Network (ASN) and the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC).

Both groups called for a national mobilisation on the University of Birmingham campus in the event that the injunction is not dropped and the occupiers are charged.

A statement from ASN said: "This is the latest in a recent string of attacks on students fighting for democratic control of their institutions and for better conditions for university workers."

The initial demonstrations - organised by the Defend Education group - called for the university to speak out against the government sell-off of student debt to private companies.

Additional demands include cheaper student accommodation, a living wage for all university employees and more democratic decision-making.

The unrest is the latest in a series of demonstrations across Britain's campuses.

On November 15 University of London Union president Michael Chessum was arrested for failing to inform the police of a protest at the university's central London campus.

The protest was over a proposal to replace the union with a new administrative body which would be prohibited from direct action and protest.

Mr Chessum's bail conditions barred him from attending protests on or near any university campus and prompted a solidarity rally by student groups.