SCORES of people across South Cumbria picked up their placards to make a stand against austerity.

More than 40 people joined protesters in Manchester at the weekend to shout out against government policies seen as championing spending and benefits cuts, public service reforms and restrictions on trade unions.

Trade union members from the Barrow area joined the tens of thousands of people who marched through the streets to voice their opposition as the Conservative Party Conference also met in the city on Sunday.

Stephen Forbes, secretary for GMB Union in Barrow, said: “It was a successful march and was a good day which was really well organised.

“But I thought it was a little bit draconian.

“They had big gates keeping people out and we couldn’t get anywhere near the conference centre.”

Mr Forbes joined the protest to voice his opposition to austerity and to call for more support for the working class people of Barrow.

He said: “People are starting to see it now rather than before when cuts were just dripping in.

“People didn’t really realise what was happening but now they can see how the cuts and reforms are affecting the working class people in the town.

“We’ve got to the bottom of the barrel and people can’t take any more.”

Mandy Penellum, who organised the event, said it was a “tremendous success”.

She said: “I think it’s really important to stress that austerity isn’t working.

“We’re continuing to see cuts in public services and threats to jobs so it’s really important ot send that message to the government.”