Bingo March Hits Westminster Heatwave

The stampede against the UK government's crusade against bingo halls gathered pace over the weekend with a classically British march and protest. The bingo protesters gathered outside Westminster to try and save UK bingo, which has seen nearly 100 parlours close their doors in the past few months! Of course, with the weather hotting-up and officially hitting heatwave standards, the protesters really got hot under the collar.

Up to 300 gamers gathered, including young and old alike. The group even included a bingo caller to unify their chants and make MP's come and have a look. There were even prizes on offer for those silly enough to sport Chancellor Alistair Darling 'big eye brow' face masks! What's more, a big red double decker bush toured the streets cheering on the bingo crowds.

The biggest concern raised was over the affects bingo closures have on the elderly community, who literally live for the game and its social wonder. Up to 30 more bingo halls are predicted to be on the brink of closing over the Summer. It's not just a question of protecting a seemingly simple game – it's about protecting a part of British culture that's an integral part of many communities all over the country