Thousands of anti-austerity protesters united in York at the weekend to demonstrate as Liberal Democrats held their annual spring conference.

Trade unionists joined forces with students and a wide range of campaign groups who staged a march and rally in the city.

The 2,500-strong protest was organised by Yorkshire and the Humber region of the Trade Union Congress on the theme A Better Way.

Campaigners on the bedroom tax, NHS, disability, environment, student fees and East Coast rail privatisation were among those taking part in the protest.

In recognition of International Women's Day, an all-women panel of speakers addressed the rally which followed the march.

Speakers included TUC assistant general secretary Kay Carberry and Yorkshire and the Humber TUC vice-chairwoman Pam Johnson.

Yorkshire and the Humber TUC policy and campaigns officer Neil Foster praised the outcome of the event.

He said: "There was a great atmosphere and a really broad sector of people against austerity and the policies of the coalition government. We got a great reception when we went into the city centre as well.

"The theme was 'a better way' and all the speakers talked about the problems caused by austerity and what we could achieve with better economic policies to build a better future."

Mr Foster said there were "three times as many protesters as there were people at the conference."