ORGANISERS are hoping hundreds of people will take part in a protest in response to the Prime Minister's plan to prorogue Parliament.

Newly formed campaign group Defend Democracy has organised a demonstrations to take place at Brighton’s The Level from 12pm today.

The protest, which takes places alongside scores of similar events across the country, is being organised by poet Michael Parker and computer programmer Chris Hodges.

Following a spontaneous, grass-roots demonstration at Brighton Town Hall on Wednesday, activists are organising a larger event for today.

"The announcement on Wednesday that the PM intended to suspend parliament came as a real shock" says Parker.

"It was like a punch in the face. We cannot stand by and do nothing, so we're calling on Remainers and Leavers across Sussex to send Mr Johnson a clear message – he’s gone too far. We won't let him dismantle democracy."

Meanwhile, left-wing group Momentum is calling on its members to "occupy bridges and blockade roads" in conjunction with the protests.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has urged MPs to join the demonstrations and oppose the shutdown of Parliament.

In a letter to the Parliamentary Labour Party, he said: "I am addressing a major rally in Salford on Monday. But there are also public protests across the country this Saturday, there will be a rally in Parliament Square on Tuesday evening, and I encourage Labour MPs to be present and to share our message."

The calls for protests come as a petition against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan to suspend Parliament racked up more than 1.5 million signatures as of Friday morning.

It also follows multiple protests in London, Edinburgh and other cities on Wednesday, which took place within hours of Mr Johnson announcing his plans.

The main London protest is due to take place outside Downing Street from midday on Saturday.