Thousands of students have missed lectures because of a strike by university staff in London.

Several campuses have been closed because of action being taken by four unions over cost of living allowances in London.

London Metropolitan University has been closed as have three of the six major campuses of Middlesex University.

The lecturers' union the AUT (Association of University Teachers) says there has been almost a "total shutdown" across the capital.

The Queen

The Queen and Prince Philip were caught up in the protest.

They drove past a picket of about 50 university staff at King's College, London, where the Queen was opening a new library.

Union officials say Prince Philip waved at the protestors.

King's College was closed, but officials said this was because of the strike action by fire fighters.

Other universities which were partially closed or where lectures were cancelled included Westminster, South Bank and East London.

Andy Tremayne, from Unison, was on the picket line at Middlesex University.

He told BBC News Online: "It has been a successful day. There has been a lot of support from members. We are in for the long haul. If we have to take further action we will."

At University College, London, a spokesman said the university was functioning and students were being taught.

The AUT has criticised King's College, London, over the Queen's visit.

The union's general secretary Sally Hunt said: "I'm absolutely astonished that King's College would invite the Queen to open this building - paid for with money that could have spent on London weighting - on the day that university staff, across the capital, are striking to get a decent allowance.

"One cannot help feeling that by doing this, King's College is cocking a snook at university staff, who've been forced into striking by a group of vice-chancellors who've been far more keen to spend money on grand buildings than adequately supporting their staff."

The criticism was rejected by King's College.

A spokesman said: "The Queen's visit was organised a long time ago and the date was given to us by the palace.

"The money that was given to the college for the library was never something which could have been spent on London weighting. It was just for facilities."

Comparisons

The other unions involved are Natfhe and Amicus - representing about 50,000 staff.

The AUT lecturers' union said staff had been angered by the low level of their allowance.

It said higher education workers had one of the lowest London weightings of all public servants.

Those at the University of London got �2,134, while those at the newer universities earned between �603 and �2,355.

This compared with �6,111 for police, �3,500 for the prison service and �3,105 for teachers.

Teachers in London are also due to go on strike over the same allowance issue on 26 November. They want �6,000.

The university staff are calling for a weighting allowance of �4,000, under the slogan "4K for decent pay".

The Universities and Colleges Employers Association was meeting union representatives at lunchtime on Thursday to discuss the situation.

The organisation's chief executive Jocelyn Prudence, said: "We are not unsympathetic.

"We know it costs a lot to live and work in London. But there is simply not the money to fund such a claim."