Health workers are campaigning against cuts at nine hospitals

They were demonstrating over savings at nine hospitals and hundreds of job losses, as Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust tries to save �40m.

After the march they assembled in Montpelier Gardens and heard speeches from local MPs and union leaders.

The route was changed at short notice to cope with the expected crowd.

'Traffic restrictions'

Police warned motorists several roads in the town would be closed and parking restrictions would be put in place for the duration of the protest.

Chief Inspector Steve Radcliffe said all the necessary preparations were in place to ensure the protest passed-off peacefully with the minimum of disruption to residents and visitors to the town.

"The route has been chosen to minimise inconvenience but for about an hour some areas will be inaccessible and we're asking people to plan any journeys to or from the town centre carefully and be patient while the event takes place."