Climate protestors camp at Heathrow

Several days of activities will be held including a day of action next Sunday against the "root causes" of climate change.

More than 1,500 people from across the UK and other parts of Europe are set to join the camp, which is officially due to open on Tuesday. But organisers announced they had already set up the camp on a site north of Heathrow between the villages of Sipson and Harlington.

They appealed for help in starting to prepare for the series of workshops, and talks which will be held from Tuesday.

Publicity of a controversial legal move by the British airports authority aimed at banning protests will lead to more people than expected joining the camp, organisers believe.

Up to 1,800 police from four forces will be on duty amid fears in Scotland Yard that the protest will attract people intent on causing trouble. However, some civil rights activists have voiced concerns at police tactics after officers made it clear they would deal "robustly" with any problems.

Organisers said the first few days of this week's camp will be taken up with 100 workshops on issues ranging from campaigning skills to practical training on how to take direct action.

A spokeswoman said: "Our plan has always been that people who come to the camp will decide themselves what kind of action they want to take, but we have been very clear that we will not be going onto Heathrow's runways. There has been a lot of talk about disruption but our aim is not to affect passengers or ruin holidays - we simply want to challenge the aviation industry."

Mark Bullock, Managing Director of BAA Heathrow said BAA "always respected people's democratic right to protest lawfully".

He said: "We believe that there is an important debate to be had regarding climate change. However, we do not believe our passengers and staff should be harassed or obstructed by any unlawful direct action. Our passengers and staff also have rights."