TWO of the country's top academics are being forced out of Manchester University because of their age.

Acclaimed sociologist Terry Eagleton and renowned feminist writer Sheila Rowbotham are both being asked to retire against their will.

Hundreds of people have joined an internet campaign to save their jobs - accusing the institution of ageism and stressing their research is relevant.

Salford-born Eagleton is one of the country's best-known literary critics and is professor of cultural theory at Manchester.

He hit headlines last year in a row over fellow Manchester professor Martin Amis's views on Islam. University bosses insist that their decision has nothing to do with Eagleton's spat with the author, who is professor of creative writing.

Rowbotham - who is professor of gender and labour history - has offered to stay on for a third of her current salary.

A university spokesman said: "Terry Eagleton and Sheila Rowbotham have reached their contractual retirement at 65 and discussions are ongoing regarding any future role they may have." Organisations can set their own compulsory retirement age, although 65 is the minimum. Staff can ask to stay on at employer's discretion.

A number of researchers and lecturers have been allowed to continue past retirement age, but the university is now cutting jobs to clear a £30m debt.

Prof Eagleton was unavailable for comment, but is understood to want to continue his role. Academics around the world have signed a petition calling for Prof Rowbotham ato be allowed to stay and more than 500 people have joined a Facebook campaign.

The University and College Union, which represents lecturers, says it wants to negotiate with the university `to establish a better procedure for considering the continued employment of staff who clearly still have much to offer'.