A small group gathered outside Cineworld in Rochester during a socially-distanced flash demo calling for more Government support for workers.

It was organised by Medway Trades Union Council as part of a national day of action calling for 'People Before Profit'.

Supporters pitched up outside Cineworld on Saturday morning as part of a movement to urge Ministers to keep the furlough scheme going to support staff who are already struggling to make ends meet and may now face the axe amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The TUC said: "Tens of thousands of workers who are already struggling are now threatened with the loss of their jobs, homelessness and mental ill health. At the same time large corporations (Tory Party donors) are raking in further corporate handouts, favourable loans and grants.

"With unemployment set to hit three million within the next 6 months, this mean-spirited regime is putting more misery by the day on real people who have the least resources to weather the storm."

Mark Dunk, who took part in the demo, was made redundant when Chancellor Rishi Sunak's furlough scheme was wound down.

It is due to be replaced entirely at the start of November with a new 'Job Support Scheme'.

Statistics suggest 9.6 million workers have been furloughed since the scheme was first announced in March.

Under the system, staff placed on leave were supported with 80% of their wages paid by the Government, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

Mr Dunk said: "It was a real blow to have the hope of returning to a good job that I enjoyed ripped away.

"I don't want millions of others to suffer the same fate.

"I used to work in a cinema when I was younger so I wanted to be here today to highlight why furlough needs to be extended. The latest scheme does nothing for self-employed people or those on zero hours contracts."

Medway Trades Union Council member Chas Berry said: "These decisions are taken by people who have no idea of the impact on working class people, outside of their comfortable bubble.

"This Government is rotten to the core and it is up to us the working class to stand together and fight back in whatever way we can."

Read more: All the latest news from Medway