The Government will tomorrow face its first big public protest since the election when politicians, union leaders and celebrities join thousands of people in a demonstration against austerity.

Organisers say the protest will be the biggest event of its kind for years, with people travelling from across the UK to march from the City of London to Westminster, where a rally will be held.

Singer Charlotte Church will address the crowds, as well as Len McCluskey of the Unite union, firefighters' leader Matt Wrack, Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.

Sam Fairbairn, of the People's Assembly, which is organising the protest, said: "It will be the start of a campaign of protest, strikes, direct action and civil disobedience up and down the country.

"We will not rest until austerity is history, our services are back in public hands and the needs of the majority are put first."

Anti-nuclear activists will also be among those taking part.

Kate Hudson, general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said mass mobilisation was key to persuading the new Government not to renew the Trident nuclear weapons.

Lindsey German, convenor of the Stop The War Coalition, said: "I will be marching because I am fed up with all the main parties saying they are going to promote austerity. They have made the rich richer and the poor poorer and they're going to continue."

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Union leaders and campaign groups will highlight the impact of spending cuts on public services, the NHS, welfare and education, and warn of the effects of fresh cuts expected to be announced in next month's Budget.

A protest will also be held in Glasgow.