Hundreds from Lancashire are expected to travel to London this weekend to take part in what is anticipated to be one of the UK’s largest protests for Palestine.

The march, on Saturday, May 17, marks 77 years since the Nakba, which refers to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

Two coaches will depart from Blackburn and Accrington in the early hours of the morning, heading to the National Demo for Palestine at midday outside Embankment.

Green Party Hyndburn Councillor Shabir Fazal, who is helping organise the trip from East Lancashire, said the conflict in Gaza is "one of the worst genocides in the last 50 years".

He said: "The reported numbers of deaths exceed 50,000. The Lancet, a respected medical journal, estimated the real figures as around 186,000 – that was months ago.

“All hospitals destroyed, hundreds of health workers and emergency responders killed.

"Gaza has the highest concentration of orphans in the world. Two million innocent people are starving to death.”

Cllr Fazal was also critical of the UK Government's stance on the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

He added: “Ordinary people feel angry, hopeless, and helpless. Decent people are heartbroken. There is a desperate desire to do something to help.

“We will be attending the National Palestine protest in London marking the 77th anniversary of the Nakba.

"More than a million people are expected to attend. We are taking four coaches – usually it’s only one.

“We protest to show solidarity to our Palestinian brothers and sisters, to remind them that they are not alone, that we will never forget them, never abandon their fight for justice, freedom, and self-determination.

“On Saturday, Muslims, Christians, Jews, people of all faiths and none will join hands and stand in solidarity with Palestine."

“The Palestinian people have said in interviews that they take strength and reassurance from these marches. This march will show that our love and kindness have no boundaries.

"We will not be silenced by the government’s repressive crackdown on freedom of speech and peaceful protest.”

To book a seat on the coaches, people should contact Cllr Fazal.

The Blackburn coach leaves from Masjid-e-Sajideen in Plane Tree Road at 5.30am, while the Accrington bus leaves at 6am from Richmond Hill Street.