THOUSANDS of people cheered for equality, justice and fair pay as they celebrated the Tolpuddle Mart-yrs’ actions 178 years ago.

With a strong turnout at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival despite the rain, the annual event was a fitting tribute to the six Dorset farm labourers whose actions laid the foundations for the first trade union.

Organiser and TUC secretary Nigel Costley said: “There has been such a great atmosphere, really friendly and welcoming to everyone.

“But we’re here for a purpose, to show people that there is an alternative to the misery that a lot of people live in.

“Austerity doesn’t work and it’s not working and we want to stop the worst government cuts and damage.”

A crowd gathered on Sunday afternoon in St John’s Churchyard for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of martyr James Hammett.

The weekend reached a climax a few hours later when hundreds of trade unionists from around the world marched through the village with banners, drums and marching bands.

Following the procession a range of political and unionist figures gave inspiring speeches to the eager crowd of union members and festival-goers.

Headlining speaker, veteran politician Tony Benn, said the festival supports all the causes he believes in.

He said: “I come here every year to recharge my batteries.

“All the causes I believe in are taken up and fought for here, I wouldn’t miss it for anything.

“The problems the country is having at the moment are what makes people want to come to this great event.”

Other speeches came from Maria Eagle MP and Brendan Barber, the TUC general secretary.

Mr Barber said: “I think it’s gone tremendously well, obviously the weather hasn’t been what we wanted but there’s still been a fantastic level of support around the festival.

“This event is an opportunity for people to come together and demonstrate their confidence that there really is an alternative.

“It has grown in strength in recent years so much so that there’s a danger of having too many people to manage here in such a small village.”

The festival encompassed debate, workshops and live music featuring the Pachango and The Selecter.

Carl Wainwright, of Portland, represented the Dorset branch of the Communist Party.

He said: “This sort of event is so important, it’s the birth of trade union here in Dorset and it’s something we have to celebrate and be seen to celebrate.”