Climate change protesters blockade Manchester airport

Seven campaigners from Manchester Plane Stupid handcuffed themselves in a line in terminal three at about 7.30am.

Initially the protesters stopped passengers going through to the departure lounge, but an emergency exit was later opened and at 9am the blockade was not causing any queues.

The protest ended peacefully at 10am, and the police did not take any action against them.

In Kent, six protesters climbed a 200m high smokestack at Kingsnorth power station in Medway at around 5am, a spokesman said.

Another 20 activists chained themselves to the station's conveyor belt to prevent it burning coal, and predict it will be off-line by this afternoon.

The protesters said they would paint the words: "Gordon Bin It" on the chimney in 10ft letters and had enough supplies to stay on the site for "a few days".

They are urging PM Gordon Brown to reject plans for Britain's first new coal plant in more than 20 years.

Power company Eon wants to build a plant on the site that could supply electricity to 1.5 million homes.

But activists warn it will pump harmful carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and create a precedent for more coal in the future.

Ben Stewart, from Greenpeace, said: "Global warming is the greatest issue we face as a nation.

"If Gordon Brown bottles it on climate change he shouldn't even bother seeking a second term, whenever that might be.

"The decision on whether or not to build a new coal-fired power station in Britain for the first time in 30 years will be Brown's moment of truth."