A GROUP of campaigners staged a peaceful protest at a Southampton bank to demand action over climate change.

Campaign group Extinction Rebellion were joined by members of the public for a “peaceful” picnic at the Barclays branch in Above Bar Street.

Gathering on Saturday afternoon, they hoped to raise public and employee awareness of where their money is being invested.

The demonstrators called on Barclay’s to stop funding a “future of ecological breakdown” and to invest money in renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels.

Picnickers of all ages sat on the floor of the bank singing anti-fossil fuel songs in between bites of sandwiches and cakes.

A large banner was also held outside bearing the slogan ‘don’t bank with fossil fools” and the group engaged the public outside.

According to the group, who campaign on climate and social justice, Barclays invested over £30 billion of customers’ money into UK fracking and fossil fuel extraction projects around the world between 2012-2017.

In response, a Barclays spokesperson said: “We recognise that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, and are determined to do all we can to support the transition to a low carbon economy.

“We continue to develop our green products suite and in 2018 we facilitated £27.3bn in social and environmental financing across our business including green bonds and renewable financing.”