BOLTON actress Maxine Peake is protesting outside Westminster with campaigners who oppose legal aid cuts.

The Silk star, who is a staunch socialist, joined hundreds of protesting barristers in their full court dress of wigs and gowns.

Also with the group were solicitors bearing a puppet image of justice secretary Chris Grayling, and a Magna Carta scroll, which will be delivered by protesters to the Ministry of Justice today.

Mr Grayling was in Bolton last night, where he told lawyers that their strike would make no difference.

The march coincides with a nationwide demonstration of non-attendance which will affect hundreds of court cases across the country.

Hundreds of lawyers marched on Westminster in protest at legal aid cuts as thousands of barristers stage a second walkout at courts across England, including Bolton.