Officials in final rallying call

People are being asked to join in the Make Poverty History march

Campaigners have made a final rallying call for people to join a march in the Scottish capital and help rid the world of poverty.

Thousands of demonstrators are to take to the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday for the Make Poverty History March.

Speaking on the eve of the mass event, officials called for as many people as possible to join the protest.

Chancellor Gordon Brown, First Minister Jack McConnell and the SNP's Alex Salmond will all take part in it.

The trio plan to address the gathered crowds at various points during the day and will be joined by senior members from the Scottish religious community.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien will represent the Catholic Church and pass on a message of support from Pope Benedict XVI.

He will be joined by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Reverend David Lacy, who will also address a demonstrators during the day.

The march has been organised to demand that G8 countries deliver trade justice, provide increased aid and banish debt for the world's poorer nations.

EDINBURGH MARCH See the route of Saturday's Make Poverty History march Enlarge Map

Speaking on Friday, Make Poverty History in Scotland chair Mary Cullen said those who join in on Saturday could help save lives across the world just by turning up.

She said: "Simply by joining in the march on the streets of Edinburgh, Scots have the chance to make the world of a difference to men, women and children throughout the world.

"A few hours in Edinburgh can help save lives elsewhere."

Those who do turn up are likely to experience a day of sunny intervals and temperatures of about 20C.

However, weather experts have said a few spots of rain may fall over the course of the afternoon.

The march is due to start at midday from The Meadows, a huge park in the centre of Edinburgh, and it is being predicted that it will be the biggest Scotland has ever seen.

The potential size of the event means its start has been staggered with different sections setting off at noon, 1300 BST and 1400 BST.

Protesters began arriving in Edinburgh on Friday

Protesters started to arrive in preparation for the event on Friday entering the city by train, bike and even on foot.

However, the arrival of some was soured amid complaints of being photographed by police as they boarded some trains from south of the border.

Alex Nunns, of leftwing magazine Red Pepper, was on a chartered train from London's King's Cross Station to Edinburgh and said the experience had been "intimidating".

He said: "It was quite intimidating considering we're coming up to Scotland to demonstrate in order to improve the world.

"It's quite intimidating to start off in that way."

However, police and Edinburgh City Council have both said they were confident the march would pass off without incident and have encouraged an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding across the capital.

Tayside Police are reminding motorists that the A9 Perth to Glasgow Road is to remain open throughout next week's G8 summit.

The force is putting traffic management measures in place to maintain the flow of traffic and assist motorists.