A GROUP of residents with learning difficulties demonstrated outside a town hall as their councillors sat down to discuss cutting their services.

The group, Find Out and Fight, are worried over how cuts will limit their chances to live more independent lives – a key plank of council policy.

Along with members of Brent TUC they chanted slogans and held up placards as councillors and senior officers filed passed them.

Ann O’Neill, director of Brent Mencap, said: “It went really well. It was the first time many of them had ever demonstrated. They also gave out leaflets, some people took them and others looked at as us as if we were workshy and should get a job.”

Brent Mencap’s service users are worried about college courses and day centres closing and their freedom passes being taken away.

They are due to meet Brent Central MP and schools minister, Sarah Teather, this week to discuss their fears.

The decision to take action was made after a series of meetings where around 40 Find Out and Fight members discussed how the cuts would affect them.