Staff on Tyneside who face losing their jobs will try to block council budget cuts of almost �8m on Wednesday.

Protesters from people's centres under threat from the cutbacks will lobby committee meetings of North Tyneside Council.

Recently-elected Conservative mayor Chris Morgan wants to reduce spending by �5.4m.

But opponents say the move will seriously hit community services.

Mr Morgan: "Tough decisions are needed."

The budget cuts will see an end to the Window on the World (WoW) free festival and the closure of some community centres.

A newly formed campaign group, Save Our Services, will be out in force at Wallsend town hall.

Save Our Services spokesman Alan Vaughan, said: "There are financial problems, but there was a budget agreed in April which was perfectly fine.

Further cuts

"The mayor has come along and altered that and has not give anyone any chance for discussion."

Earlier this month cabinet members of North Tyneside Council agreed to the �5.4m cuts package - as well as further cuts of �2.5m to offset an overspend from the previous Labour administration.

Opponents are urging councillors to have the decision discussed at a full council meeting in the hope it can be overturned.

But mayor Chris Morgan said: "That will only delay the inevitable.

"If we don't take decisions now to get the finances back in line, then others will step in to do it for us."