Activists occupied the office of North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb this afternoon in protest against cuts to the NHS.

Members of the Norfolk People's Assembly dressed in black and sat in the care minister's North Walsham office, as they delivered a speech about their concerns over cuts to the health service.

Their occupation was among a series of protests held across the county as part of a national day of action.

David Peel, who was among the members who took over Mr Lamb's office, said among the group's main concerns was cuts to the region's mental health trust, which is binning 400 jobs and reducing bed numbers by 20pc as part of a restructure.

'We have asked to meet Norman Lamb and they're considering that request now, but we decided that was not enough,' he added. 'We wanted to bring our concerns about the cuts right to his door.'

The four activists discussed their worries with Mr Lamb's staff 'at length' before delivering their speech and then leaving peacefully.

A further protest is set to take place in Cromer this evening, when members of North Norfolk Against Cuts demonstrate outside one of the town's banks.

Protesters, wearing Guy Fawkes masks and waving sparklers, plan to hold a speech outside Lloyds before symbolically withdrawing £17bn of 'bank bailouts' and delivering the 'cash' to Cromer hospital to fund the NHS.