Peaceful march for Shropshire campaigners in London

Seventeen coaches left Shropshire collecting those against the cuts from Market Drayton, Shrewsbury and Telford.

It’s estimated that over 1,000 people from Shropshire including a large number of parents and supporters of local schools threatened with possible closure by Shropshire Council made the trip.

The TUC said "between 250,000 and 500,000 people" had taken part in the march travelling from The Embankment alongside the river Thames to the Houses of Parliament, up Whitehall and then on to Hyde Park.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, the public service trade union, said that the turnout was "absolutely enormous and showed the anger of ordinary working people".

shropshirelive.com reporter Chris Pritchard who was in London said: ”The amount of people who turned out for the march had beaten the organisers expectations.

”Reports had suggested that the march route was taking up to 7 hours to complete due to the high volume of those taking part.”

Campaigners gather as far as the eye can see to take part in the protest.

“Many of those who had travelled from Shropshire were unaware of problems caused by around 500 people in Oxford Street and Piccadilly. However a small number of those returning to their coaches were delayed due to the closure of some underground services.”

The trouble began after so-called demonstrators broke away from the main march and headed towards the shopping district in London's West End. A group of about 500 gathered in Oxford Street, before targeting fashion chain Topshop's flagship store, HSBC, RBS and Santander. The luxury food store Fortnum and Mason and The Ritz was also targeted.

At one stage 13 shops in Oxford Street were closed following skirmishes between activists and riot police. Those who had not closed had police standing outside.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers had come under "sustained attack" as they dealt with the disorder and attempted criminal damage.

During the day around 20 spoke interspersed with films and music in Hyde Park. Those speaking included Union officials and Labour leader Ed Miliband who condemned the "brutal" cuts in jobs and services.

Those taking part in the march finish at Hyde Park to hear speeches.

Ed Miliband, told protesters at the TUC rally that the government was wrong to make such deep cuts in public services. He was heckled by a small number of protesters when he said "some cuts" were needed, but most people applauded his speech.

Christine Blower of the National Union of Teachers said, "We will stand together, march together and if necessary strike together till we turn around these cuts."

The demonstration was the biggest since the anti-Iraq war march eight years ago.

Last month hundreds of protestors marched into Shrewsbury town centre from Shirehall against the cuts. Speeches were then made by a number of Union Members and campaign organisers.

Did you travel from Shropshire?
If you travelled from Shropshire to take part in yesterday’s march we would love to hear from you. What did you think of the day? Also send in your video and photos – email interact@shropshirelive.com.