AN anti-Thatcher rally was held in Glasgow's George Square just hours after the former prime minister's funeral.

Around 200 people gathered for what organisers described as an event to remember the "industries and communities who suffered" under Baroness Thatcher and her government's policies in the 1970s and 1980s.

Some of those who opposed her, including trade unionists and representatives of the steel industry, were joined by the public to mark the occasion, which began at 5pm.

Left-wing politician Tommy Sheridan, a former MSP who helped organise the event, led the protests.

Mr Sheridan, who helped lead the poll tax protests in Scotland in the 1990s, said: "Some have said it is distasteful to celebrate the death of an old woman.

"And I was brought up to respect people, but it's clear Mrs Thatcher did not respect us.

"She didn't respect the workers she sacked, or the hunger strikers who died, when she was in power.

"We're here to say 'We don't respect you either'. We won't shed any crocodile tears over her death.

"But now we must look forward.

"Just as we united to fight Thatcher's poll tax, I would urge you all to unite and fight Cameron's bedroom tax as well."

After his speech, Mr Sheridan was handed jelly and ice-cream by a celebrating protester.

Independent MSP Jean Urquhart, who quit the SNP in protest against the party's support for Nato membership should Scotland become independent, also addressed the gathering.

Demonstrators displayed banners bearing slogans, including "Thatcher is buried, now bury the bedroom tax".

Other placards, which were attached to an open top bus, named some of "Thatcher's victims", including Linwood's car factory.

Music, including Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead, blared from a bus that had been set up to broadcast speeches.

One of the demonstrators, Cathy Pederson, 67, from East Kilbride, said: "I fought against Thatcher and watched her destroy jobs in Scotland. We don't forget and we don't forgive."

Sammy Brown, a community worker from Tarbolton, Ayrshire, said: "My grandfather was a miner and that is why I'm here today.

"Growing up, I saw what Thatcher did to communities, especially in Ayrshire. She destroyed them and left them with no future."

In London, protesters along the funeral route turned their backs on Lady Thatcher's coffin as it passed on its way to St Paul's Cathedral.

About 300 demonstrators gathered near Fleet Street and Farringdon Street, to show their opposition to her policies and the cost of the funeral.

Many waved placards with home-made slogans or posters from the Left-wing Socialist Workers Party reading "Now bury Thatcherism".

Meanwhile, residents of former mining communities in Yorkshire burned an effigy of Baroness Thatcher on a bonfire after carting it through the streets on a horse-drawn hearse.

Hundreds of people, including many former miners, attended the event in Goldthorpe, Yorkshire.

Crowds gathered outside the Union Jack Memorial Club, where an effigy of the late Tory leader hung from a noose beside signs that read "Thatcher the milk snatcher" and "Thatcher the scab".

Some turned up in National Coal Board-style overalls, complete with soot-blackened faces, hard hats and headlamps.

Three traditional pit and NUM banners that extolled the virtues of socialism, collectivism and unity were paraded past, prompting applause.

Songs, including Rod Stewart's Maggie May, which includes the line "Wake up Maggie, I think I've got something to say to you", and Going Underground by The Jam, were played from the club.

Among those at the event was Robbie Conroy, of Doncaster, a miner for 32 years, who branded Thatcher "a witch".

He added: "The working class has been slaughtered by this woman."

Some residents made their own show of hatred for the woman they claim ruined their community, including one home that displayed a huge sign saying: "The Lady's not for turning but tonight she'll be for burning."

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk