UNION members received support from passing cars as they marched through central Southend.

Cars tooted as more than 100 members of Unison, the Public and Commercial Services Union, the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education and the general trade union the GMB got together at 10.45am outside the Southend Council offices in Victoria Avenue.

The group marched with their banners and placards into the town centre and stopped outside the Odeon cinema.

Our reporter, who is with the rally, said the union memebrs chanted: "What do we want? Better pensions.

"When do we want them? Now."

A handful of police also joined the march to ensure it did not get out of hand.