The Thick of It actress Rebecca Front is to join a march against £2.85million of cuts threatening the closure of Barnet’s libraries.

Ms Front united with a 10-year-old Barnet pupil and literacy campaigner to launch the Children’s March for Libraries on Thursday at East Finchley Library - one of several which could close.

The BAFTA-award winning actress, who played MP Nicola Murray on the satirical TV show, said she was inspired to take part in the protest after visiting a Barnet library for the first time a few months ago.

She said: “It was buzzing with readers, Internet users, kids doing homework assignments. This is important stuff. Not everyone can afford to buy books. Not everyone has a quiet space in their home to work. Libraries are a triumphant symbol of democracy.”

The march, which is highlighting the benefits that libraries can offer children, will begin at East Finchley Library at 10.15am on Saturday September 12.