About 40 union members and activists gathered in Great Yarmouth to protest about government spending cuts in the public sector.

The members of Yarmouth Against Public Service Cuts waved their banners in the Market Place on Saturday afternoon and handed out leaflets to shoppers for two hours.

Members hope to show there are plausible alternatives to swingeing cuts to handle the deficit which they claim will decimate public services.

Ruth Thacker, who helped organise the event, said: 'The turnout was good with representatives from several unions, including a large number of firefighters.

'It was good to see some younger people stopping to find out more and signing up to our movement as they will be voting at the election.'

Yarmouth Against Public Service Cuts was formed last month and is affiliated to the Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts.

The next open meeting of Yarmouth Against Public Service Cuts will be held at the Cobholm Community Centre on October 20 from 7.30pm.