CAMPAIGNERS marched through Camborne to demand an end to austerity in Cornwall.

More than 50 people attended the rally at the weekend, which was organised by Camborne, Redruth and Hayle Constituency Labour Party.

The group were protesting against more cuts that are due to be made to vital local services, including Roskear House, a facility that supports people who have learning disabilities, which will have its funding scrapped in September.

There were speeches from members of the local Labour party, including Paul Farmer, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle.

He said: “If austerity is allowed to go on, the damage it does will just cut us more and more to the bone. What’s always held Cornwall together is its sense of identity and community, these austerity cuts actually attack that, it’s attacking Cornwall in a way that will do it most damage.

"It’s as if it’s been designed to wreck every particular quality that Cornwall’s got and I can’t sit by and watch that.

“It’s really important for us, as the local Labour Party, to have a perpetual input into our community. It was a really good day, we had a great turnout. There was a lot of interest and it was highly entertaining, with lots of participation.”

Deborah Hopkins, Cornwall Regional Officer for Unite the Union, has worked in the NHS for more than 30 years and gave a speech about the need to protect public services.

She said: “We need to help lift up people who are vulnerable and who have suffered as a direct result of a political decision to take money, support and structure away from people who often have no power to fight back. That’s what austerity is.

“The only way we are going to be able to fight back against this is by doing it together. The only way we can reclaim our humanity is by reaching down and lifting up people who need our help.”

The procession started in Commercial Square and continued through the centre of town before finishing in Tuckingmill Valley Park. Campaigners enjoyed music from the Labour Party choir and a barbecue to round off the event.