HUNDREDS of striking teachers demonstrated at a rally against pensions changes.

The 500-strong group of protesters marched through Dorchester from County Hall to the Corn Exchange.

The demonstration came as schools in Bridport and Beaminster faced closures and disruptions from the strike.

Primary school teacher Donna Beddows, who is on the area National Union of Teachers committee, was stewarding at the march.

Donna, who teaches at Bridport primary, said: “It was a good turnout with some great speeches.

“It was good to all come together united for the same cause.

“It was good to see so much support from the public, we had some people cheering, and people in cars tooting their horns and waving.

“I think the message is finally getting across to the public.”

Mountjoy, Bridport Primary, St Mary’s Primary in Bridport and Colfox closed because of the strikes. Beaminster School faced disruption with some year groups told to stay away.

More than 50 Dorset schools were forced to shut completely because of the industrial action.

The unions say the changes will leave teachers working longer, paying more towards their pensions and getting less when they retire.

Flags reading ‘Education Cuts Never Heal’ and ‘If you want your children taught by monkeys, promise them peanuts’ were waved. ‘Save Our Pensions’ stickers were worn and “What do we want? No cuts! When do we want them? Now!’ was chanted on the rally.

Dorset NUT leader Geoff Cooke estimated that between 400 and 500 people took part in the demonstration supported by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the University and College Union (UCU).

He said: “Many of the people taking part had never taken industrial action before. This clearly shows how outraged people are that teachers are being given an additional tax of 3.4 per cent to pay on their contribution.

“We are being told we will have to wait longer in order to get pensions – up to aged 68 – and when we get it, it will be less.”

He added: “The government has been saying that the current pension scheme is not affordable but that is simply untrue.”