THOUSANDS of marchers are set to take to the streets to protest against cuts to the NHS.

Colchester People's Assembly is leading the event, which organisers hope will see 2,000 people march through Colchester town centre on Saturday.

It comes after similar events in Chelmsford and Southend.

Emily Cornell Chair of Colchester People’s Assembly announcing the march said: "Chelmsford and Southend have held brilliantly successful marches in support of the NHS and now the people of Colchester will get a chance to show the general election candidates just how much the NHS means to them by supporting this march around the town."

The march is set to begin at midday in space behind St Botolph’s Priory.

Participants will then travel along St John's Street, Head Street and High Street before a rally takes place outside Firstsite.

Activists have handed out more than 10,000 leaflets in the lead up to the event.

Mrs Cornell added: "We have had a great response to calling the march, especially from people at the hospital who know only too well how vital the NHS is to themselves and their families."

Raph Piggott, Secretary of the Colchester Trades Union Council, who are sponsoring the march said: "The Tory plans for the NHS will see funding squeezed for the whole of the next parliament.

"In Colchester, we have seen what a Tory Government means for the NHS.

"Their very own plans say that in Colchester we need to improve cancer care, mental health services and maternity services while saving £248 million a year by 2021.

"Everyone, including the Government, knows that this magic trick cannot be achieved when demand for health services from an ageing population is rising.

"What will happen instead is the continuing deterioration of our vital NHS services damaging our health and shortening our lives."

Mr Piggott added: "The fantastic staff who work at the hospital know the problems of underfunding.

"The NHS’s own survey tells us that only 60 per cent of staff at Colchester Hospital would recommend it as a good place to work.

"They know the NHS in north Essex needs more money to provide better services."