Climate activists occupied South Quay last night to mark the start of the COP26 climate summit.

Extinction Rebellion Worcester held a "Clang for Climate" protest to demand 'urgent action, not empty words' from world leaders at the twelve-day Glasgow conference.

A two-minute silence was held before attendees were encouraged to create as much noise and light as they could to send 'the loudest possible message' to those gathering at what has been described as the world's "last, best hope" by COP26 president Alok Sharma.

Members clapped, banged drums and even rang a cow bell during the demonstration, which started at 6pm.

Candles were also passed round the group, while others shone torches.

Although the group set themselves up in the middle of the pathway, they were not blocking the way through for pedestrians.

Members of the group were handing out leaflets and discussing their aims with passers-by throughout.

The COP (Conference of the Parties) process was set up by the United Nations in 1995 to address growing concerns about climate change.

Despite the many pledges made and targets set by governments at international meetings over 30 years, carbon emissions and atmospheric temperatures have continued to rise.

The current goal is to keep global warming limited to 1.5C by 2100, but worrying figures show we are on track for 2.7C, which the UN says would result in a "climate catastrophe".

Nearly 200 countries are being asked for more ambitious targets to reduce their carbon emissions in Glasgow.

Ros Cooke of Worcestershire Deep Water Rising said "Our world has never been in greater peril than it is now.

"The UN’s own reports reveal just how far off track we are in reducing global carbon emissions.

"We don’t need yet more empty promises and greenwash from the world leaders gathering at COP26.

"Despite all their talk over 25 previous meetings they have failed to protect us from the effects of climate change.

"We want people to join us in calling out those failures; we want the rich and powerful attending COP to know that we are watching them."

More than 25,000 people are expected to descend on the Scottish city of Glasgow for the two-week event, with large protests expected.