CELEBRATE our history, defend our heritage - that was the message from hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in Walthamstow Village on Saturday.

Between 250 and 400 people assembled outside Vestry House Museum and held a short rally before walking to Walthamstow town square to demonstrate against funding cuts to local heritage services.

The cuts, which will save Waltham Forest Council £56,000 during the 2007/08 financial year, will lead to reduced opening hours at Vestry House and the William Morris Gallery, along with the loss of expert staff.

The Walthamstow Woodcraft Folk, whose creed is taken from William Morris's poem The Envoi, headed the procession.

Those present heard speeches, poetry readings and music, and read comments from concerned heritage lovers hung up in a "quotes line".

Paying tribute to the home-made, hand-crafted spirit of William Morris, many of those present wore extravagantly-decorated headgear. Others donned full Victorian dress.

Aside from declaring their support for the William Morris Gallery, the demonstrators were anxious to highlight the damage they believe the cuts will do to the local archive.

Co-organiser Barbara Kiser said: "We didn't want Vestry House to be left out. Cutting hours and access to archives will curtail the ability to research locally - at the moment when genealogy is becoming highly popular, the council has cut hours."

The Vestry House archive includes 80,000 local photographs and some rare early films, as well as a library of reference works on Waltham Forest.

The reduced access and loss of specialist staff will make research unworkable, according to local historian David Boote.

"Peace campaigners, war heroes, church leaders and campaigning groups have entrusted artefacts and records to the museum, believing them safeguarded," he said.

"Meanwhile, the potential loss of censuses, trade directories and the like will make genealogical and house history research difficult, if not impossible."

Cllr Naz Sarkar, cabinet member for leisure, arts and culture, argues that the reduced opening hours, which will see the museums open on Sundays, will lead to more people visiting the attractions.

FANS of the Arts and Crafts Movement can trace the work of William Morris across London with a new trail, launched this month.

It is part of a series of 12 Discover London trails drawn up to mark museums and galleries month.

Those taking part can visit up to six sites across the capital of particular significance to the Arts and Crafts Movement, including Walthamstow's William Morris Gallery.

Other attractions include the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Kelmscott House, Hammersmith, and the Red House, Bexleyheath, both of which are former residences of the artist.

Ylva French, executive director of the Campaign for Museums, said the William Morris Gallery was of more than just local significance: "London's smaller museums and galleries are the custodians of not just of local heritage, but in the case of the William Morris Gallery of a nationally important designer, philosopher and writer.

"Through the Discover London trails, the Campaign for Museums aims to introduce Londoners and visitors to these often-hidden gems.

"It's only by broadening the access to local heritage that local people can appreciate its importance and the area generally can benefit. It seems a short-sighted policy to curtail opening hours and services at such an important museum."

The trail map can be found on www.24hourmuseum.org. uk