A coffin representing the death of the NHS was carried from Cromer to North Walsham today by campaigners rallying against government plans to overhaul the way the service works.

With the health and social care bill likely to become law next week, the protesters urged shoppers in the town to sign postcards calling for MP Norman Lamb to 'drop the bill'.

Speaking at the 2pm event in the Market Place, mental health nurse Emma Corlett , who works in Mr Lamb's constituency, said she was 'shocked' when the MP announced his support.

'My main concerns relate to patient safety,' she explained.

'And I'm worried the bill will create a two-tier system.

'I think the rally was really important because the bill is 400 pages long and a lot of people might not understand it and don't realise the implications.'

Under the plans, GPs and other clinicians will be given more responsibility for spending the budget and ministers believe the changes are essential for the survival of the NHS.

More than 400 postcards were handed into Mr Lamb's office in the town this afternoon.

The event was organised by North Norfolk Labour Party, and brought together opponents of the Health and Social Care

Bill including health unions, health care professionals, and concerned patients in North Norfolk.

Speakers from organisations Keep Our NHS Public and health union UNISON were also at the event.

Earlier this week North Norfolk Labour Party set up the website dropthenhsbill.co.uk which allows people to send an email directly to Mr Lamb.