A mum-of-four was left "deeply moved" after joining environmental activists at protests in central London.

Laura Manston, 38, travelled to the capital with her family in a bid to force the Government to take action against climate change.

The full-time parent from Knights Croft, New Ash Green, was one of thousands to join the peaceful march, organised by Extinction Rebellion.

Greeted with "open arms, huge hearts and steaming dandelion coffee", Mrs Manston spoke of her pride at seeing her children appeal to save the planet of their futures.

She said: "We are facing Earth’s sixth mass extinction. This is a worldwide emergency.

"If we are to save ourselves and our planet from catastrophic consequences, we need to make wide-scale changes, and the only way this will happen is with direction from our world’s leaders."

Socio-political movement Extinction Rebellion, which "uses non-violent civil disobedience to achieve radical change", has three demands it would like to be met by MPs.

Mrs Manston said: "The first is for the Government to tell the truth abut how deadly this situation is, and to reverse any polices that are not in alignment with that position.

"The second is for it to make legally binding policies in the UK for us to become net zero with carbon emissions by 2025.

"The third is for a citizens assembly to oversee all of these changes to make sure they are fair and well advised."

She added: "The main the problem we have is the speed of climate change caused by burning fossil fuels.

"We need the government to make policies that allow us to look at ways to make energy using other sources.

"People are aware of the issues but their pockets are bigger than their conscience."

At the event, a solar-powered music truck gave attendees the chance to dance across the car-free roads, while canopies offered an escape from the blazing April sunshine.

The Kent Rebellion group met at Waterloo Bridge on Saturday morning, before Mrs Manston and her family headed to both Hyde Park and Oxford Circus.

She said: "I was deeply moved by this beautiful attempt to save humanity and our planet.

"I feel privileged to have played a part in the demonstration and encouraged by the volumes of people who share the same passions as I do.

"I plan to continue the battle from home by reducing my carbon footprint, spreading the word and helping to coordinate the Kentish effort.

"I’m not an expert in this field. But I believe what the experts are saying. And I hope you will too."

Find out more about the protests at rebellion.earth

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