Striking civil servants held a march and rally to protest against up to 4,000 job losses in Southend.
The Public and Commercial Services Union called on the town's civil servants to boycott work on Friday and join a mass picket line outside Customs and Excise offices in Alexander House, Victoria Avenue, Southend.
Dozens of PCS members started smaller-scale picketing outside Alexander House from 5.30am on Friday.
Other civil servants protested outside Government buildings Tylers House and Vencora Court, both in Tylers Avenue, Southend, from 7am.
PCS branch secretary, Fiona Staff said: "It's very cold but we are determined to stay out here. We have already managed to stop several people from going into work. We spoke to them as they arrived, convinced them with our arguments and they went home again.
"Members are very concerned about losing their jobs. They are also worried about the effect it is going to have on Southend.
"If 4,000 people lose their jobs and stop spending money on the town's shops and other businesses, we are concerned Southend is going to deteriorate."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article