TELEVISION presenter Tony Robinson has given his backing to a campaign against legal aid cuts.

The Time Team and former Blackadder star is backing a nationwide "Day of action for justice" on Friday aiming to highlight how people who cannot afford lawyers will lose their right to free help.

Legal aid for both civil and criminal cases is set for drastic cuts as part of the Coalition's proposed reforms, which are currently under discussion. They would see people no longer be able to go to their local law centre and be given free legal advice if they need help with a problem such as an employment tribunal or debt.

Mr Robinson, a former Labour Party national executive committee member, said advice funded by legal aid enabled charities to help people with fundamental day-to-day issues.

He said: "The proposed cuts won't save taxpayers any money because the lack of high-quality, independent advice at an early stage will mean that other parts of government will have to spend more on things like health, social care and housing costs when complex problems spiral out of control."