LIVERPOOL was brought to a standstill today as 15,000 people took to the streets to protest against government plans to reform public sector pensions.

Schools, government offices and the Mersey tunnels all closed, while protestors manned picket lines across the region.

Demonstrators of all ages, from toddlers to pensioners, marched through Birkenhead Park and streets of Liverpool as part of nationwide strike action which saw protests as big as those against the Iraq war in 2003.

Up to 2,000,000 people are understood to have marched across the UK.

And the thousands who took to Liverpool’s streets poured scorn on Prime Minister David Cameron’s claim that the events had been a “damp squib”.

During the morning, hundreds of people marched through Birkenhead Park on Wirral. At around noon, the crowds departed from Liverpool pier head in a scene reminiscent of a European Cup Final, with drums beating, vuvuzelas droning and whistles blowing.

As marchers from up to 30 unions made their way up James Street, thousands more lined the pavements to show their support.

Union leaders said that proved the claim that the strike would pit public and private sector workers against each other had been demolished.

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union regional chair Martin Kelsey said the movement had found its voice once again in the face of government attacks on pensions, which will see public sector workers have to forfeit the equivalent of a day’s pay a month but a reduction in their pension rights.

Mr Kelsey told the thousands at the rally outside St George’s Hall: “Comrades, 15 years ago civil service unions were better known for humble petitioning than for militant action but I’m pleased to see all that all that has changed.”