ESSEX Police says the 35 people arrested in connection with a protest on roads in south Essex earlier this week have been released under investigation. 

All 35 had been taken into custody on suspicion of obstructing the highway. 

They took part in a demonstration which saw people block the roundabout of junction 31 of the M25 in Thurrock on Wednesday. 

Local roads such as Stonehouse Lane and London Road were also blocked for a period. 

Police arrived at the scene within minutes and eventually removed the protestors. 

Footage on social media showed angry drivers dragging some of the demonstrators from the road as tensions boiled over.

Insulate Britain has taken responsibility for the demonstration. 

It has organised other protests in Thurrock and Brentwood as part of its campaign to force all homes in the UK are properly insulated by 2030.

The group announced yesterday it was suspending its protests for 11 days to give Prime Minister Boris Johnson time to respond to their demands.

A member of Insulate Britain had tried to hand deliver a letter outlining the group's demands to Downing Street yesterday but was turned away.

The letter will be sent by post to Mr Johnson instead, the group has said.