HUNDREDS of protesters are set to rally together in Southampton city centre as part of a global demonstration against climate change.

Environmental activists, Extinction Rebellion (XR) will be turning out for the Global Climate Strike today.

People of all ages are expected to walk out of school, college, university or work to show their support for the “biggest issue facing humanity today”.

The campaigners will gather at Guildhall Square at 11am.

Accompanied by Samba drums and music at midday, a procession will make its way down Above Bar Street, crossing onto Portland Terrace at the Bargate past ASDA, and then back to Guildhall Square for 1.30pm.

There will then be food, speeches and more music at the square.

A talk titled Heading for Extinction, which focuses on climate breakdown and the ecological crisis, will be taking place at the Arthouse Café with the event expected to finish at 3pm.

According to XR, it hopes to draw attention to air pollution from the shipping industry and the expansion of Southampton Airport.

Similarly, it wants to encourage parents to allow their children to attend the protests and for workers to take time off and show their support.

XR member, Zoë Drew said: “More people are talking about climate change but we should not mistake talk for the state scale action that is needed urgently. While our local airport is planning expansion and business as usual persists, we will continue to fight for what is right. I will not look my granddaughter in the face and tell her I stood by and did nothing.”

The group reports to be a non-political movement which urges governments to go beyond politics in fighting the effects of climate change.

Its action on Friday follows on from the Global Climate Strike in September when 7.6 million people reportedly took to the streets across the world. Extinction Rebellion campaigners marched through the city streets earlier in the month to protest plans to fell woodland.