Protestors from environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion have been staging a demonstration outside a Norwich city centre bank.

Norwich Evening News: Extinction Rebellion protestors outside Barclays Bank in Norwich. Picture: NEIL DIDSBURYExtinction Rebellion protestors outside Barclays Bank in Norwich. Picture: NEIL DIDSBURY (Image: Archant)

The campaigners dressed in black and covered their hands in fake ‘oil’ during their protest outside the Barclays Bank branch in Red Lion Street on Saturday (September 19).

The campaigners, who sat in silence outside the bank holding signs with slogans such as ‘Debt Strike for Climate’, said their action was designed to raise awareness of Barclays’ heavy investment in fossil fuels.

Gabriella Ditton, Extinction Rebellion Norwich spokesperson, said: “We are raising awareness of what Barclays Bank invest their customers’ money in. Between 2015 to 2018 they have invested £64bn in fossil fuels.

“We are urging Barclays customers to ask the bank to divest from fossil fuels. If we are going to stand any chance of surviving, then mega corporations like Barclays have to play their part.”

Norwich Evening News: Extinction Rebellion protestors outside Barclays Bank in Norwich. Picture: NEIL DIDSBURYExtinction Rebellion protestors outside Barclays Bank in Norwich. Picture: NEIL DIDSBURY (Image: Archant)

A Barclays spokesperson said: “We want to take a leading role in tackling climate change as we recognise that it is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today.

“Our ambition is to become a net zero bank by 2050, and we’ve made a firm commitment to align our entire financing portfolio to the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“That means our own operations, and the financing we do for our clients, in every sector, will support the transition towards a low-carbon economy.”