Students stormed into shops and blocked streets this weekend to demand the abolition of higher-education fees and an end to tax-dodging businesses.

Thousands took action in Brighton, London, Birmingham, Bath, Hastings and Chichester many bringing their families, friends and lecturers along.

The largest march took place in Brighton where as many as 800 people blocked the streets, shouting: “Whose education? Our education!”

Students from Sussex University and the University of Brighton walked through the city centre, assembling in front of infamous tax-dodgers such as Boots and Topshop chanting: “Pay your tax.”

Sussex student Michael Segalov said: “Today shows people don’t believe going to the ballot box in a few months’ time is the only thing they can be doing and that is a really important narrative — voting isn’t the only thing you can do.”

Many showed their support online, including Green MP Caroline Lucas, who tweeted: “Solidarity with students campaigning at #freeeducation demo — great banner!”

The National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, which called the day of action, said the events took place across the weekend so the wider community would be able to join the students.

“Students and education workers are under attack by the same forces,” said the group’s Ben Towse.

“Against intensifying exploitation, rising fees, cuts to support, the marketisation of our education and the lie that austerity is inevitable, we’re building a democratic movement for free education and better wages and conditions, putting to better use the immense wealth that is locked away in the coffers of the rich.”

Mr Towse, who studies at UCL, took part in the London events which specially targeted Lambeth College, where lecturers’ terms, conditions and pay are at currently under threat.