PROTESTERS called for the so-called "bedroom tax" to be axed in a march through Bolton town centre.

Campaigners from Bolton Against the Bedroom Tax handed over a petition of more than 4,000 signatures to council leaders in a bid to abolish the charge.

More than 150 people made up of politicians, union members and residents affected by the legislation attended the demonstration in Victoria Square on Saturday.

Protesters also took a minute out of their demonstration to pay tribute to murdered taxi driver and aid worker Alan Henning.

Linda Charnock, Bolton Against Bedroom Tax leader, said: “I’m sure many of you heard about the brutal murder of Alan Henning last night.

“Before we do anything else, we would like to hold a minute’s silence in tribute to him.”

Campaigners are calling for a no eviction policy in Bolton — rather than the council’s current “no homelessness” policy.

Chris Chiltern, spokesman for Bolton Against Bedroom Tax, said: “It was about publicising the inequality of the bedroom tax and the impact it is having on people’s lives.

“There’s a common perception that those affected are “scroungers” or lazy.

“However, 70 per cent of those affected are disabled. These people are being made to choose between food, heating and rent. This legislation should be abolished.”

Council leader, Cliff Morris, was joined by Bolton MPs Julie Hilling and David Crausby to make speeches before the march.

Cllr Morris, who was handed the petition, said: “I am here because this is an unfair tax.

“It is hitting the poor and people who have lived in their family property all of their life.”

Ms Hilling, MP for Bolton West, said: “This is a cruel and malicious tax which needs to be abolished.

“Labour is committed to abolishing it, but until next May there are an awful lot of people suffering.

“It is an unjust tax and saves no money at all.”

Mr Crausby, MP Bolton North East, added: “It’s really good to see the people of Bolton turning out to protest against something which is completely unjust.

“Not only is the bedroom tax stupid, it’s not going to save the Government any money. All it’s going to do is put people in more arrears and the housing department in more debt.”