Activists from the Godalming Extinction Rebellion group took their message to the town today, with a rally at the bandstand and two marches through the High Street.

Supporters heard from speakers describing the climate crisis and calling them to take a stand against further damage to the planet.

The rally was held ahead of a week of protests planned for London from September 1st, which will see gatherings in Parliament Square and other actions across the capital.

Around 30 people took part in the rally, joining the march through town, accompanied by a drummer, and then a bike ride. After speeches and music at the bandstand provided by New Ukes, the group again set off, on a silent march through the town centre.

Carol from the group told Nub News the activists were there to raise awareness of the climate emergency affecting the planet.

"The planet is one degree hotter than it was pre-industrial times," she said. "And that's because we are putting CO2 into the air. We are experiencing more violent storms, and sea levels are beginning to rise.

"The CO2 that's in the air stays there. There is only so much you can put up there before you reach an inescapable end point: massive overheating.

"The consequences, just for us, as humans, are horrendous. That's without even considering the consequences for other species on the planet.

"Crops are starting to fail because of the drought and the extreme heat. This year, wheat production is the lowest since the 1980s. Yet our pollution is higher."

And she said there could be disputes over food supply in the future, fuelled by crop failures and protectionism as countries seek to adapt to climate change.

Concerns over water supply also drive the protests, she said.

"Over the next 20 to 30 years the south east is forecast a water shortage," she said. "Godalming is in the danger zone for running out of water.

"We need to convert to driving electric cars, eat less meat, fly less.

"Even at this very local level Covid has shown us how inter-connected we are. A lot of people have suffered and a lot of people have died. What we are being shown here is a wakeup call."