More than 100 people have taken part in a demonstration against planned cuts to Welsh language immersion centres.

Demonstrators on the Maes in Caernarfon warned that such a move “could not come at a worse time”, with Brexit likely to result in more people moving to Welsh-speaking communities.

On Tuesday, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet decided to postpone any decision to slash the available funding for its immersion centres by £96,000 for 12 months whilst they trial a pilot scheme at one of the centres.

The proposal is part of a programme of planned cuts to help balance the books following the loss of Welsh Government grant funding.

On Saturday morning, a demonstration organised by several Welsh language pressure groups called on the Plaid Cymru-run council not to slash their funding.

“Following Brexit, we will see a surge of newcomers to rural Wales,” said Porthmadog town councillor Dr Simon Brooks. “We are seeing that already with the growing sales of holiday homes.

“If the border with Europe closes, then it’s natural that people seeking a better life will look towards the Celtic fringes of the British isles.

“We have to prepare for a new wave of incomers and this is the totally wrong time to cut this vital service. I urge the council’s Cabinet, which is under the control of a party I’m proud to be a part of, not to take this step.”

Eifion Lloyd Jones, of Dyfodol yr Iaith, acknowledged that the authority had been placed in a difficult financial position and pointed the finger towards the UK Government’s austerity programme.

“Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet should tell Cardiff that they refuse to cut the service and that the responsibility should be for the Welsh Government to provide sufficient funding in the first place,” he said.

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