A demonstration against proposed cuts to a work programme supporting hundreds of disabled people took place in Norwich today.

About 35 people took part in the protest organised by the unions GMB and Unite at Hay Hill in Norwich on. It was part of an on-going campaign to save the Remploy factories which are under threat of closure across the country.

Glenn Holdom, regional organiser for the GMB trade union, said: 'The demonstration was about trying to get the government to change their mind with regards to the announcement of the proposed closure of the Remploy factories.

'We have been trying to gather public support and have been announcing to people the injustice of the closures.

'The responses from people have been very, very supportive.'

Mr Holdom said he thought more than 3,000 signatures were collected on the petition to save the Reploy factories during the three-hour demonstration on Saturday.

He said this said this highlighted the strength of public support for the campaign.

About the people who would be affected by the cuts, he said: 'These are very vulnerable members of society given their levels of disabilities and they want to retain their employment.'

He said currently the government is proposing to shut 36 of the Remploy factories, and the other 18, including the Norwich factory in Raynham Street, have had a stay of execution.

The 54 Remploy factories across the country employ more than 2,800 workers.

The Norwich factory employs 39 people, including 26 who are disabled.