Rally over joint Devon and Cornwall constituency plan

Organisers estimated about 500 people attended the protest rally

Protesters have gathered over plans for a parliamentary constituency which would link parts of Devon and Cornwall.

An estimated 500 people held a rally in Saltash on Sunday over plans for a 75,000-voter strong constituency which would unite parts of both counties.

The first part of the protest got under way on Saturday with a march from Marsland Point, Devon, along the River Tamar to Saltash in Cornwall.

Cornwall's six MPs have criticised any moves to combine the two counties.

The three Conservatives and three Lib Dem MPs have said that there were definite economic and cultural differences between Cornwall and Devon, and that mixed constituencies might not recognise this.

It is predicted that if boundaries are changed, South East Cornwall or North Cornwall would merge with Devon West and Torridge or Plymouth Moor View, incorporating two sides of the River Tamar.

Plans to re-draw the boundaries are being discussed at Westminster on Tuesday but the Boundary Commission has until 2013 to make its recommendations.