ACTOR Maxine Peake called for direct action against the government yesterday, as thousands plan to march on the Tory conference in a month’s time.

Her comments came ahead of a public rally in central Manchester, where Ms Peake will lead a string of celebrity campaigners including Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondalgh and presenter Terry Christian.

“Direct action is the only way to stem the constant ruthless attacks on our society by this arrogant and vicious system,” said Ms Peake.

“If we don’t stand up we will lose our most precious assets — assets that have been fought so long and hard for.

“The NHS, our public services, Legal Aid, the list goes on.

“We don’t have to take it, so we do have to stand up,” she added.

The meeting hosted by the People’s Assembly is expected to fill Manchester’s Central Hall, as hundreds signed up to attend.

The actresses and their fellow speakers will then help organise the Take Back Manchester protests planned for when the Tories come to town in early October.

Ms Hesmondalgh, who played TV’s most famous transgender character Hayley Cropper, said: “I want to be part of a creative movement, full of imagination, righteous anger and humour, that tackles austerity head on.

“I’m full of hope that there is a groundswell in our country that want a better, fairer society.

“Despondency is the best friend of apathy and the enemy of hope.”

The last People’s Assembly demonstration in June saw 250,000 people take to the streets of London.

A further meeting in London on September 14 will bring the former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn together to speak on alternatives to austerity.