Two Anglican bishops have backed thousands of campaigners protesting over millions of pounds of council cuts to services.
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition by the Don't Cut Us Out campaign urging West Sussex county councillors to change their minds over the slashing of adult social care budgets.
It is claimed 4,500 pensioners and adults with special needs may lose out from financial support because they no longer meet criteria set by the council to help the vulnerable.
In an unusual twist, the county’s two most prominent church leaders - Bishop John Hind of Chichester and Bishop Mark Sowerby of Horsham - have abandoned their apolitical positions and given protesters their full support.
It comes as the local authority needs to save £79 million over three years, which includes £30 million from its adult social care budget.
Ahead of a meeting, where the petition will be discussed, the bishops have sent a letter to all the local authority’s 71 councillors.
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