PROTESTERS marched through the streets of a North-East town on Saturday calling for an end to austerity cuts.

Tees Valley Public Services Alliance held a march and rally in Middlesbrough to draw attention to the impact of government cuts on Teesside.

The town’s Labour MP Andy McDonald led the rallying cry after union members and supporters assembled at Albert Park before marching down Linthorpe Road to the Centre Square.

Addressing the crowd he said: “Councils in the North of England have been the hardest hit. Middlesbrough Council, for example, is expected to cut over 30 per cent of its budget, losing some £63m and rising over the life of this parliament with more than 1,200 job losses.

“At the same time, they are expected to deliver additional responsibilities as the government presses on with its so-called reform of welfare, education and health."

Among the protesters were leading members of Middlesbrough Council including councillors Charlie Rooney and John McPartland, as well as Barry Coppinger, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, and prospective Labour candidate for Redcar, Anna Turley.