SOAP star Cherylee Houston was among disabled activists who descended on Downing Street yesterday in a snap protest against plans to strip them of crucial care cash.

Ms Houston, who plays Izzy Armstong in Coronation Street, joined the protest against Con-Dem plans to scrap the independent living fund (ILF) in June.

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) planned to lobby MPs after their challenge to the harsh measure was thrown out by the High Court last month.

But anger over the cruel Con-Dem cut surfaced as dozens instead staged an impromptu march down Whitehall to the gates of Number 10 to demand their right to dignity.

Corrie’s Ms Houston, who uses a wheelchair and became the Street’s first disabled actor in 2010, said it was her “duty” to take action.

She told the Star: “It’s absolutely disgusting that this Christmas could be the last some disabled people spent in their own homes as next year they may be forced to live in an institution — taking away their rights and capability to work, to be part of society.

“Without the ILF, disabled people don’t have the same basic human rights as everyone else.

“It will be down to the local authority to decide what time you go to bed, get up and whether that 15 minute care slot they give you to is to bathe or eat.

“Why, why would you cut something so fundamental?”

Police were forced to stop the traffic around Parliament Square as the activists marched back to Parliament for a rally.

MPs who came to show their support were visibly moved as they listened to personal stories about the importance of the ILF.

Comedian Laurence Clark, who has cerebral palsy, said losing his £500-a-month support will mean more hours stuck inside and an end to his “basic human right to participate in society on an equal level.”

One woman broke down in tears as she explained her friend’s situation.

But the activists reminded politicians ahead of the general election that Britain’s 12 million disabled people are not powerless.

Andrew Lee told MPs: “Our lives are actually worth something and we are voters at the end of the day.

“We might need support getting into the voting booth but we’re still capable of making our decisions.”

The meeting was attended by a dozen Labour MPs, including John McDonnell who has been made an honorary DPAC member.

But the event was sponsored by Green MP Caroline Lucas amid growing discontent with Labour in DPAC.

Organiser Linda Burnip revealed that leader Ed Miliband had refused to receive a letter from the group calling on Labour to restore the ILF.

She said the approach of Labour’s front bench was “rather Tory-like in thinking that human rights for disabled people don’t matter.”

Commons work and pensions committee member Sheila Gilmore was among left Labour MPs who pledged to win the fight for ILF within Labour.