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Thousands of anti-Brexit protesters are taking to the streets of London to mark the second anniversary of the vote.

It is two years to the day since Britain opted to leave the European Union but campaigners are demanding a second referendum - a so-called 'People's Vote' - on the UK's final deal.

Just 279 days before Britain leaves, key questions surrounding our customs model and future relationship are left unanswered.

The march which began at noon is expected to last until 4pm and organisers are hoping as many as 80,000 people could turn up.

Huge crowds including people of all ages have been pictured walking through the capital already, holding banners and flags.

Signs have hand-written messages on them such as "Brexit will make us all poorer," "no goodbye based on lies" and "strength in EUnity".

(Image: London News Pictures Ltd)

(Image: London News Pictures Ltd)

The march begins at Pall Mall in central London and will continue down Whitehall, ending in Parliament Square.

A cluster of Westminster (and grassroots) lobbying groups against Brexit have organised the event.

These include Open Britain, the European Movement, Scientists for EU and For Our Future's Sake.

(Image: London News Pictures Ltd) (Image: REUTERS)

Co-founder of For Our Future's Sake Jason Arthur said in a video posted on Twitter: “I’m here marching with thousands of people because ultimately we care about the future of this country.

"We all collectively think that Brexit is going to damage our future, it's going to damage our economy and damage our society and we think people should have the right to change their minds."

He added: "We are going to make our voices heard and make sure the government realises that our future is best served by remaining in the European Union."

(Image: PA) (Image: London News Pictures Ltd)

Speakers today will mainly focus on "ordinary people" including a mussel farmer and a GP.

But there will also be political speakers including Labour MP David Lammy, Green leader Caroline Lucas, Tory Remainer Anna Soubry and Lib Dem leader Vince Cable.

Road closures are being made as the event takes place.

MPS Events have tweeted: "In London today there are planned marches and rallies to mark the 2nd anniversary of the EU Referendum vote.

"The Pro Europe / Remain march will form up from 12 pm, move off at 1 pm with a rally from 3 pm."

The account added: "Road closures around St James's Street and Pall Mall in Westminster have begun to be implemented for the form up of the PeoplesVoteMarch.

"Further road closures will be made along the route once the march begins."

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

Boris Johnson has urged the Prime Minister to deliver a "full British Brexit" as Cabinet colleagues warned the UK is able to walk away without a deal.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said the UK was not "bluffing" about being prepared to walk away from talks with Brussels, and Brexit Secretary David Davis said there is "lots going on" to prepare in case negotiations collapse.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson said people would not tolerate a "bog roll Brexit" that was "soft, yielding and seemingly infinitely long".

(Image: PA) (Image: PA)

Their remarks were published today, the second anniversary of 2016's EU referendum.

The ministers' comments prompted criticism from Siemens UK chief executive Juergen Maier, who said they were "incredibly unhelpful" and said it was time to work for a more pragmatic deal with the EU.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today that the firm wanted a soft Brexit with "minimum friction", saying the Government had presided over "two years of not having achieved what we were promised, which is that this was all going to be easy".

He said: "I think the realities are setting in and I think it is time to get away from slogans, 'full British Brexit', 'going into combat with Europe'.

"It's all incredibly unhelpful and what we need to do now is to get closer with our European partners and work out what a realistic, pragmatic Brexit is that works for both sides, the EU and ourselves."

Meanwhile, research by the Centre for European Reform (CER) think tank indicated Brexit had already made the UK economy 2.1% weaker than it would have been if voters had decided to stay in the EU.

Dr Fox told the BBC it is "essential" the EU "understands... and believes" the Prime Minister's assertion that no deal would be better than a bad deal.

He said the threat had "added credibility because if we were to leave, the economic impact on a number of European countries would be severe".

"I think our negotiating partners would not be wise if they believed that the Prime Minister was bluffing," he said.

Katherine Bennett, Airbus's senior vice president in the UK, told the Press Association: "We don't deal in idle threats.

"We seriously believe a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic."