Shropshire protesters set for London cuts demo

More than 1,000 angry demonstrators from Shropshire are expected to descend on London this month for a march against Government cuts.

Following the hugely successful and well supported march and rally attended by hundreds of people in Shrewsbury last month, support is building across the county for the national TUC-sponsored demonstration against public spending cuts in the nation's capital.

The event, due to be held on March 26, is expected to attract more than a million participants and will set out from the Embankment at 11am for a rally in Hyde Park.

Already 15 coaches have been booked to take people from Shropshire down to London for what organisers promise will be an "enormous display" of solidarity and anger about the Coalition Government's cuts.

Mike Edwards of Shropshire & Telford Trades Council said: "As people are well aware, the cuts proposed by the Government are going to destroy jobs and livelihoods here in Shropshire as elsewhere.

"Our aim is to take at least a thousand people down to London for the March 26 demonstration and we are well on the way to achieving that figure.

"We have over 500 people signed up for the trip already and we will be leafleting over the next two-and-a half weeks and talking to people in town centres and in the local workplaces that are facing job cuts to encourage more people to come along and make their feelings known."

Coaches will be leaving Market Drayton at 6.30am and calling at Shrewsbury Abbey at 7am and Telford coach station at 7.30am on the day, returning from London in the early evening.

Because the demonstration will be so large, steps are being taken to ensure local people taking part will be fully stewarded by local trade unionists and looked after before, during and after the march.

People wanting to book a place should visit the Shropshire Fights Back website and complete the booking form.