Hundreds of activists have been marching through Colchester town centre this afternoon to raise awareness of climate change.

A procession organised by Extinction Rebellion saw campaigners march together to express their grief and concern about the future of the environment and human race.

Gazette:

The march saw a symbolic coffin carried from Castle Park, down to Firstsite, onto Culver Square and then down through the high street.

Hundreds of people of all ages followed closely behind the coffin, chanting and holding placards in a display of solidarity.

Die-ins, where protestors fell to the ground, were also staged at various locations to represent the devastating consequences of climate change and feared extinction of humans.

A spokesman for Extinction Rebellion said: “We had a really great turnout. This is the first time we have done something like this in Colchester.

Gazette:

“Everyone is excited to be part of this movement and we hope we can stage other marches in the future.

“What we are going to find is that this is tapping into a sense of grief about what is happening to our planet. Everyone feels in different ways and to give them all a chance to express that will actually help bring everyone together.

“Everyone understands that we actually need to be doing something much more urgent about this situation and we are all onboard, it doesn’t matter what political party you support or whatever you think.

Gazette:

Sue Hammick (left) and Sarah Bruce

"This is all walks of life here today, old people and younger people especially who are trying to protect their futures.

“We are here together in solidarity.”

Gazette:

Protestors staged several 'die-ins' to symbolise the end of the human race

Listen to our podcast with climate change campaigners Jill Bruce and Laurel Spooner by clicking here.