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British singer and Welsh national treasure Charlotte Church wowed the crowds with her rousing speech at an anti-austerity march in central London.

Charlotte, 29, branded austerity "unethical, unfair and unnecessary" as she joined a quarter of a million demonstrators in a protest against Government cuts.

Comedian Russell Brand and singer Church both received loud cheers as they spoke at a rally at the end of the protest - the biggest in Britain for several years.

(Image: Getty)

Describing the idea that Britain needs austerity as "the big lie", Charlotte said: "They will sell off our schools and our hospitals. When it's done, it will he hard to reverse.

"One aspect of this that really gets under my skin is that it's all wrapped up in a proud-to-be-British package.

"I'm proud to be British because of the NHS and David Bowie, not because of the Union Jack.

"Be proud for the right reasons. We need to win back these young minds and save ourselves from years of yuppie rule.

"If you are ashamed that you have to use a food bank, because this Government would rather see you starve than put a note in your pocket, walk tall. You have the moral high ground.

"We are not afraid of national debt and we will not let our public services be attacked."

She added: "What this country needs is economic stimulation - most economists around the world would say the same. We need to get the blood pumping."

Earlier, she said: "I'm here today in a show of solidarity with everyone here - it is a massive turnout - everybody who thinks that austerity isn't the only way and thinks it is essentially unethical, unfair and unnecessary."

Charlotte marched with hundreds of thousands of people in the streets of London as Conservative axeman George Osborne readies himself for another £25 billion of spending cuts, including a fresh £12 billion raid on social security.

Earlier this month, Charlotte said she'd pay a 70p rate of income tax if it helped to protect public services.

The former child singing star has become an outspoken critic of Tory austerity measures in recent months, after becoming disillusioned with the political system during the general election campaign.

"I've paid all my taxes since I was six years old," she said.

"I would happily pay more. I would totally be happy if it was raised to 60 or 70%."

Dears that violence would erupt at the protest, organised by the People's Assembly Against Austerity, appeared to be unfounded.

The Metropolitan Police said they had not made a single arrest at the march, which was attended by many trade unionists and public sector workers.

Organisers said an estimated 250,000 people were on the march in London, while demonstrations were also held in Glasgow and Liverpool.

If you were at the march today, please send us your photos by clicking here, or tell us why you're marching by clicking here.