PROTESTORS furious at the ‘pasty tax’ imposed in the budget will be wearing George Osborne masks as they take to the streets of Burnley next week.

Campaigners will be backing local family firm Oddie’s, as well as Greggs and the Poundbakery, who are all affected by the government’s decision to put VAT on warmed pies.

Placard-carrying protesters will descend on Charter Walk shopping centre in Burnley on Monday, to hand out leaflets highlighting the VAT rise.

The demonstration, which will be supported by the Bakers Union, is part of the North West TUC’s campaign for an alternative to the Coalition’s austerity measures.

The TUC union said the town’s MP, Gordon Birtwistle, backed the pasty tax in Parliament.

TUC local organiser James McKenna said: “It’s unfair for the Lib Dem-backed Coalition Government to increase VAT on hot food.

“It especially hits Burnley people on low incomes, because they spend more of their hard-earned money at the local bakers.

“And its bad news for local businesses like Oddie’s, Greggs and the Poundbakery, who will now have to pay out more tax to the Chancellor.

“We will be in Burnley on Monday to rally opposition to the pasty tax which is supported by Mr Birtwistle.

“And we will be putting the alternative – a tax on bankers bonuses, a crackdown on tax avoidance, and VAT on posh schools like Eton, rather than ‘bread and butter’ items like food.”