MUSIC was played in protest against planned cuts to youth services in an event organised by Salisbury’s young people.

The gig, dubbed ‘Dirty Protest’, was organised by Friends of Wiltshire Youth Service.

Many are teenagers who currently attend the Bass Connection music project at Grosvenor House in Salisbury.

The line-up included new Salisbury bands as well as others formed at Bass Connection in recent years.

The event was held at Salisbury Arts Centre on Saturday evening, and tickets were snapped up in no time.

Organisers wanted to show the strength of support for youth services in Salisbury in the light of Wiltshire Council’s proposed funding cuts.

In January, the council announced it needed slash its youth services budget by £500,000 by closing youth centres and making 140 youth workers redundant.

Although Bass Connection is due to move to the new community campus being built at Five Rivers Leisure Centre and is not earmarked for closure, young people fear that fewer youth workers could mean the service is less successful.

At a meeting last month, councillors reviewed the figures and softened the blow saying that around £250,000 cuts would be made, mostly by cutting administration costs and making youth centres run more efficiently.

However, with a consultation underway, uncertainty still surrounds exactly where the axe will fall in south Wiltshire and which services and youth centres will be affected.

Saturday’s concert was attended by people of all ages, including local councillors who are opposing the cuts.

“These services provide vital support to young musicians to develop raw talent and go on into other careers,” said city councillor Caroline Corbin.

“It is very important to support teenagers, as it is often those formative years when they choose the path to follow for life.

“Without these services some might be persuaded into a life of crime. Bass Connection has probably been a focus for most of the bands currently vibrant in Salisbury and for many musicians who have moved on.

“We need to continue the encouragement these facilities offer, and harsh cuts really are not the answer.”

Saturday’s line-up included performances by Junk DNA, Bow Street Revolt, Martha Beck, Young Brando, Robb Blake and 8.05.

Protest Group The Red Tape, which last year held a knitting demonstration to highlight the needs of disabled people , also attended the event, accusing Wiltshire Council of ignoring young people’s needs with their plans to cut youth services.

Plans are already underway for a second event at Bemerton Heath in July.

Wiltshire Council says the 10-week youth services consultation is still underway and is urging young people to have their say at sparksite.co.uk.