Climate change activists have staged a protest at the Barclays bank in Southend High Street today. 

The Southend branch of Extinction Rebellion, organised the protest, branded a "die-in", as scores of protestors lied on the floor inside the branch, and on the street outside. 

A large banner was also placed on the footbridge crossing the A127 at the Bell Interchange.

The grupo claim that Barclays is one of the leading backers of fossil fuel projects in Europe, "playing a key role in devastating communities and biodiversity around the world."

Ahead of the protest, a spokesman for the group said: "It's time to make our mark in Southend-on-Sea - before it becomes Southend-under-sea.

"Today we will stage a "die-in" action at a business in the High street.

"This company is one of the leading backers of fossil fuel projects in Europe, playing a key role in devastating communities and biodiversity around the world.

"We want the people of Southend to take notice.

"We want them to realise the threat which faces our very way of life.

"We want them to divest this company."

Echo:

A Barclays spokesman said:  “We recognise that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, and are determined to do all we can to support the transition to a low carbon economy, while also ensuring that global energy needs continue to be met.

"We continue to develop our green products suite and in 2018 we facilitated £27.3bn in social and environmental financing across our business including green bonds and renewable financing.”