AN ENVIRONMENTALIST group are preparing to "rebel for a brighter future" in the heart of Southampton this weekend.

Approximately 200 people from Extinction Rebellion will gather in Guildhall Square, Above Bar Street, on April 27 and to make their voices heard about climate change.

A spokesperson for Southampton Extinction Rebellion said: "The event has been organised by Amy Eleanor Shelley and Harriet Stewart who live in Southampton and went to the London protests. It might turn into a protest if the people decide they want to do one.

"We think they are quite involved and this goes to show how much enthusiasm there is behind it, which we encourage."

She added: "They want to make more of an impact locally and we are working together on this."

Extinction Rebellion have announced people will begin to gather at around 2pm and will continue to demonstrate until 10pm.

The group also wrote to Southampton City Council voicing their concerns and said: "We support the bold commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030 but feel the opportunity has been missed to reiterate there is a climate emergency.

"If a long term environmental strategy for Southampton cannot be achieved in a meaningful way, Extinction Rebellion will continue a campaign of non-violent direct action, here in the city, until change happens."

The organisers have advertised the event on Facebook and said: "Home is where the heart is and most of us cant get up to London why not protest at home? This is an important part of history that we need to be part of so please come down to the square and lets jam, litter pick and make banners."

Liz Batten, a founder of Clean Air Southampton, said: "I am totally in support of what they are doing, especially as a people's assembly."

This comes after dozens of students flocked to Guildhall Square to take part in the UK-wide Youth Strike 4 Climate action and call on the government to declare a climate emergency.

Students of all ages took part in the demonstration carrying banners bearing slogans such as: "The oceans are rising and so are we".

The movement saw school strikes in Australia and European countries, and was inspired by teenager Greta Thunberg, who protests every Friday outside Sweden's parliament to urge leaders to tackle climate change.