ECO-ACTIVISTS from Haslemere, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford and Bordon turned out in force to support the Extinction Rebellion (XR) climate change protests in London.

Four members from XR Godalming, who joined the sit down that closed Waterloo Bridge for a week, were arrested by Metropolitan Police on Good Friday.

A further four occupying Waterloo Bridge were arested on Easter Sunday in the final stages of police action to clear the carriageway completely.

The eight local protestors were among 1,000 demonstrators occupying key sites around the city who were arrested.

Police imposed an order on the evening of the first day of protests on April 15, which made it illegal for the climate activists to congregate at any site other than Marble Arch.

Those arrested at Waterloo Bridge were in breach of this condition and bodily removed from the site.

The four members arrested on Good Friday were released in the early hours of the following morning. They said officers treated them with courtesy and respect throughout.

Four colleagues, including Godalming resident Chris Neill, who founded the branch, were among the remaining 50 demonstrators removed from the bridge.

Those arrested were held for 12 hours in police cells as far afield as Heathrow, as police struggled to find available spaces.

Since the April demonstrations began, an estimated 50,000 new members have joined XR.

Godalming branch members have been demonstrating since the beginning of the London protests, with many having camped overnight to ensure their positions were held.

Arrested Bordon grandmother Gerri Jacobs, who had to be bodily carried off the bridge, said: “I am here so I can look my grandchildren in the eye and say I did what I could.”