Climate campaigners are staging a march and rally in Kent on the first day of a week-long protest against plans for a coal-fired power station.
Climate campaigners are staging a march and rally in Kent on the first day of a week-long protest against plans for a coal-fired power station.
Hundreds of activists are camping in a field outside the Kingsnorth plant on the Hoo peninsula.
Hundreds of activists are camping in a field outside the Kingsnorth plant on the Hoo peninsula.
Protesters gathered in Rochester High Street at midday amid a heavy police presence, including mounted police officers from the City of London.
Protesters gathered in Rochester High Street at midday amid a heavy police presence, including mounted police officers from the City of London.
They will march the seven miles to Kingsnorth following the rally.
They began to march the seven miles to Kingsnorth following the rally.
Kent Police said it had 1,400 officers from 26 forces on standby.
Kent Police said it had 1,400 officers from 26 forces on standby.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge, said: "We have made it clear to the protesters that we expect them to abide by the law
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge, said: "We have made it clear to the protesters that we expect them to abide by the law
"I hope that the march will be conducted safely, peacefully and with minimum impact on local people."
"I hope that the march will be conducted safely, peacefully and with minimum impact on local people."
Campaigner Mel Evans told the BBC: "We need to take action now on climate change.
Campaigner Mel Evans told the BBC: "We need to take action now on climate change.
"Coal is the dirtiest of fuels and we cannot have another coal fuelled power station in this country..
"Coal is the dirtiest of fuels and we cannot have another coal fuelled power station in this country..
Campaigner defends coal demo
Campaigner defends coal demo
"What we need to see is massive investment in renewables.
"What we need to see is massive investment in renewables.
"Burning coal is putting massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and we need to reduce our emissions not increase them."
"Burning coal is putting massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and we need to reduce our emissions not increase them."
The eco-activists want to halt plans for a coal-fired unit at Kingsnorth.
The eco-activists want to halt plans for a coal-fired unit at Kingsnorth.
E.ON UK has said it will demolish the existing plant and replace it with a coal-fired unit that is 20% cleaner. The plans still need government approval.
E.ON UK has said it will demolish the existing plant and replace it with a coal-fired unit that is 20% cleaner. The plans still need government approval.
If approved, E.ON said the power station would be operational by 2012 and provide energy for 1.5 million homes.
If approved, E.ON said the power station would be operational by 2012 and provide energy for 1.5 million homes.
Protesters started to pitch tents outside the plant on Wednesday.
Protesters started to pitch tents outside the plant on Wednesday.
A day of direct action has been planned on Saturday which participants say will "shut down" the 2,000 megawatt plant which supplies electricity to 1.5 million homes in the South East.
A day of direct action has been planned on Saturday which participants say will "shut down" the 2,000 megawatt plant which supplies electricity to 1.5 million homes in the South East.
Kent Police said it has a £1m law enforcement budget.
Kent Police said it has a £1m law enforcement budget.
Direct action
Direct action
In the run-up to the camp, several "climate caravans" headed for Hoo - one group travelling through London in a caravan, dressed as penguins and polar bears.
In the run-up to the camp, several "climate caravans" headed for Hoo - one group travelling through London in a caravan, dressed as penguins and polar bears.
Members of Maidstone Green Party joined one of the climate caravans on Saturday afternoon to lay a wreath at Allington Incinerator, which will burn waste from homes and businesses.
Members of Maidstone Green Party joined one of the climate caravans on Saturday afternoon to lay a wreath at Allington Incinerator, which will burn waste from homes and businesses.
Another group set out from Heathrow airport last Sunday to walk the 60 miles to Kingsnorth.
Another group set out from Heathrow airport last Sunday to walk the 60 miles to Kingsnorth.
Protester Patrick Gillett told the BBC activists would "break the law or do whatever needs to take place to stop E.ON peacefully from profiting from climate change", on the day of planned direct action.
Protester Patrick Gillett told the BBC activists would "break the law or do whatever needs to take place to stop E.ON peacefully from profiting from climate change", on the day of planned direct action.
Are you taking part in the rally? What are your thoughts about the plans for a coal-fired power station?
Are you taking part in the rally? What are your thoughts about the plans for a coal-fired power station?
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
