Hundreds of trades unionists, campaigners and activists in the North East will gather in Newcastle on Saturday to plan resistance to the coalition government's vicious austerity programme.

The region is among the worst-hit in Britain by government attacks on benefits, wages, the NHS, employment and public services.

The North East People's Assembly Against Austerity will see more than 400 campaigners gather at Northern Stage to draw up fightback plans.

TUC northern region secretary Beth Farhat said: "The event will see a wide range of people and backgrounds join forces, discuss, debate and increase opposition to austerity.

"Savage cuts are hitting working people and the vulnerable in our region very hard. A third of our workforce is paid below the living wage, councils have experienced the greatest reductions in government funding and are being dismantled while we're hearing more and more stories of people on the receiving end of zero-hour contracts."

The assembly will be a chance for people in the region to find a voice and stand together against the coalition's destructive policies and fight for positive alternatives to austerity, explained Ms Farhat.

Unison regional convenor Clare Williams said: "Yet again the North East's unemployment figures are the highest in the country. Cuts to public sector jobs are further shrinking the regional jobs market."

The day-long assembly will be followed by a night of radical entertainment. A host of performers are appearing for free.

"This is the biggest, broadest people's movement since austerity cuts began," said author and commentator Owen Jones.

Discussion and workshops will involve Northern TUC alongside the Unite, Unison, CWU, RMT, UCU, PCS and NUT unions.

Campaign groups include Keep Our NHS Public, Durham People's Assembly, Northern Public Services Alliance, Newcastle Unites, National Pensioners Convention, Save Newcastle Libraries, Unite Community, Unite Against Fascism, Newcastle Free Education Network, Coalition of Resistance, Anti Cuts Network, Show Racism the Red Card, Tyneside No Bedroom Tax and more.

The People's Assembly movement has held gatherings in several major towns and cities recently to bring together unions, groups and individuals resisting austerity.