ACTIVISTS opposed to the controversial bedroom tax are planning to stage a sleep-in protest outside a North-East town hall.

Introduced in April, the ‘tax’ is in reality a cut to the housing benefit of people with a spare room.

Rehana Azam, of the GMB trade union, is one of the organisers of the protest, which will be held outside Darlington town hall, from 9pm, on Saturday (August 24).

She said: “People have strong feelings about the bedroom tax and we are encouraging as many people as possible to take part in the big sleep-out.

“We know homelessness is on the increase and more people are sleeping on the streets.

“We are moving further and further into a place where poor people are being victimised.

“If they are not being labelled as lazy, then it’s another attack.

“I just find it awful, what’s happening, and feel compelled to highlight the position.

“We do not want to see people sleeping on the streets of Darlington, because that says something about us if we do not do something about it.”

Ms Azam said she was excited about the prospect of the sleep-out and expects between 25 and 30 people to take part.

She added: “People do not want to just sit at home, they want to do something about it.

“Even if you can just spare a few hours, please join us.”

For more information, contact @RehanaAzam on Twitter.