THE student vote has been targeted by York's Tory candidate.

Michael McIntyre has launched a door-to-door leafleting campaign aimed at students.

He visited the College of Ripon and St John, urging youngsters to vote in the city to show opposition to Labour's education policy.

He said: "Many students have told me they feel betrayed by New Labour, but are unsure if they can do anything about it.

"Labour abused the trust of students when they abolished the maintenance grant and introduced tuition fees. From speaking with them, I think many are saying they will either vote Conservative or not at all.

"I hope as many students as possible will vote Conservative in York."

Labour candidate Hugh Bayley said: "We have spent in excess of £1,000 million on higher education since 1997. Student numbers are rising, graduate unemployment has been falling and students can now defer paying their loans "

Updated: 12:19 Saturday, May 19, 2001