THOUSANDS of anti-cuts demonstrators took to the streets of Manchester at the weekend in a protest against the government’s cruel austerity agenda.

An estimated 2,000 protesters gathered in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens for the demonstration, which was backed by unions and campaign groups, including Manchester People’s Assembly Against Austerity, anti-TTIP activists, anti-bedroom tax campaigners and the Green Party.

Former Coronation Street actor and anti-austerity protester Julie Hesmondhalgh also joined the demonstration, voicing her opposition to the government’s crippling cutbacks.

Manchester People’s Assembly Against Austerity convener Penny Hicks praised the protesters for making “the day really successful.”

She said: “It was a lovely sunny day that turned into a festival against austerity.

“We collected £600 to help the homeless and had people queuing to sign up for coaches for the June 20 London demonstration.”

Demonstrators were joined by many homeless people who have set up a camp in protest against the lack of action by Manchester City Council to tackle homelessness.

The camp, which was initially set up in Albert Square in April, has been moved to St Ann’s Square following eviction by the courts. Legal action had been taken by Manchester City Council.

Elsewhere in northern England, an anti-austerity march was staged in the Yorkshire coastal resort of Scarborough, while a day-long celebration of Newcastle’s multiculturalism the Newcastle Unity Festival took place on Saturday in the city’s Leazes Park.