Charity pitched for daily protest

A charity for homeless people has begun a round-the-clock protest against cuts to its funding by Aberdeen Council.

Workers and volunteers at the Cyrenians have set up a camp outside the council's Town House offices.

They claim the council is cutting budgets without considering services. The council said it was assessing needs in a tight financial situation.

Paul Hannan, the chief executive of the Cyrenians, said they hoped to send a strong message to councillors.

He said: "They don't seem to be listening to the furore that's going on generally within Aberdeen and we're setting up a daily reminder to them that we're not prepared just to accept these cuts without any sort of a fight."

Aberdeen City Council leader Kate Dean said: "What we've had to concentrate on is people in the most need.

"There is an assessment process which will ensure everybody's needs are taken into consideration."

The protest will end with a mass rally on 5 April.

The group said 30 jobs and four projects were under threat.

They claim that the cuts will cost lives and send drug users back onto the streets.

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