Campaigners are preparing to present a united front on the streets of Cromer on Saturday to pile the pressure on Young's to save Cromer Crab Company from the axe.

Representatives from the three main political parties will be joined by North Norfolk News deputy community editor Steve Downes and North Norfolk Radio programme manager Graham Lewis to collect signatures and rally support for the factory and its 230 staff.

The get-together outside Lloyds-TSB at 10am was thrashed out live on air today as North Norfolk Radio aired a one-hour special to promote the News' Claws Off Campaign.

Cromer mayor and Labour Party member Greg Hayman and Liberal Democrat North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb made the initial arrangement to hit the streets together as they crossed swords during the show.

And North Norfolk District Council's Conservative cabinet member for communications, Trevor Ivory, also accepted an invitation to join the throng.

Efforts to save the factory have got off to a flying start, just a few days into a 90-day consultation period that was officially triggered when staff representatives were elected at the factory on October 5.

North Norfolk Labour Group has organised a Keep it Cromer petition, which has gathered more than 4,000 signatures in just over a week.

And there has been celebrity support from Stephen Fry, who used Twitter to express his dismay at the possibility of Young's moving the Cromer Crab Company processing to Grimsby or Scotland.

Steve Downes said: 'I am delighted to join the get-together in Cromer on Saturday. There is a real head of steam building up on this issue, and this event demonstrates the appetite among people of all and no political persuasions to save Cromer Crab Company.

'Everybody is welcome to join us in Cromer on the day. Come and sign the petition if you haven't already - or simply come along and show your support for the workers and for the factory.'

? To support the News' Claws Off Campaign, write to the North Norfolk News, 31, Church Street, Cromer, NR27 9ES, email steve.downes@archant.co.uk, call Steve on 01263 513920 or follow @nthnorfolknews and @stevedownes1973 to keep up to date and to make contributions on Twitter.

? To sign the Keep it Cromer petition, visit www.keepitcromer.co.uk.