Shoppers in Worcester consulted about proposed cuts

Campaigners have taken to the streets of Worcester to urge shoppers to oppose council plans to save about £70m.

Worcester Against Cuts said it would ask people to take a stand against the planned reduction in public sector funding.

Worcestershire County Council officials are also in Cathedral Plaza consulting shoppers about where they feel services should be cut.

Last month, the council said 750 jobs were at risk over the next four years.

Council funding was cut by 7.1% a year over four years last month.

'Merely engaging'

Over the past year, empty posts have not been replaced but the council said it would continue to try to minimise compulsory redundancies "wherever possible".

The council said it had estimated making savings of about £45m but the figure rose to about £70m following the government's Spending Review in October.

Neil Lawrenson, from Worcester Against Cuts, said it had not organised a "traditional" demonstration.

"Ordinary shoppers will form the demo by merely engaging with us in taking part in an alternative ballot," he said.

"They will be indicating they are against these cuts so it's not not a traditional demo.

"Ordinary people doing their Christmas shopping, they will have the opportunity to say actually, we don't think any cuts should be made in local jobs and services. There are other ways."