SOCIAL services workers held a one-day strike on Tuesday in protest at massive cuts to services for the most vulnerable members of the community.

Between 700 and 800 workers from public service union Unison picketed offices in Russell Road, Leyton, Municipal Offices, Leyton High Road, Hatch Lane, Chingford, Gainsford Road, Walthamstow, and Crownfield Road, Leytonstone.

The union linked the industrial action with a National Day for Public Services, aimed at highlighting cuts across a number of fields.

Strikers asked users of the services to understand that they were taking the action for the greater good.

They claim the council has failed to tackle the problem and have called for a modest rise in council tax to diminish the cash shortages.

But council leader Tony Buckley said: "This action by Unison is counterproductive. It will hurt people it claims to support.

"In the face of soaring demand for social services, the council has been forced to adopt a firm, realistic and sustainable budgetary strategy.

"Unison would have us raise council tax to pay for increased demand. This administration was elected on a clear manifesto not to increase the local element of council tax by more than the rate of inflation.

"Recent public consultation has shown that people in the borough overwhelmingly support this policy."