Climate campaigners from Dursley, Chipping Sodbury and Thornbury joined over 12,000 others from across the UK in a mass lobby of MPs on June 26.

More than 300 MPs, including Dursley’s MP David Drew, came out to hear their constituents’ concerns by the banks of the River Thames.

The mass lobby The Time is Now organised by The Climate Coalition, saw people from across the country converge on Westminster calling on MPs to urgently invest in measures to ensure the UK reaches net zero emissions by 2045 and pass an Environment Bill to put a halt to the mass extinction of species.

Christian Aid supporter David Nutbrown-Hughes, from Thornbury and a member of Dursley Tabernacle URC, joined campaigners from groups such as Surfers against Sewage, the Woodland Trust and the Women’s Institute.

He said: “It was powerful to be part of 12,000 people of all ages, from all parts of the country, all understanding that life as we know it is at stake and how crucial it is that our Government takes ambitious action to protect our planet and its people.

“The Government has set a target of net zero emissions by 2050, but this isn’t a matter for the future, the time is now.

“It’s vital that those in power move from rhetoric to action on this.”

David Drew said: "It was inspiring to see so many people, from so many different organisations come together with one clear message; The Time is Now.

"It was also great to catch up with Dursley Tabernacle, WWT Slimbridge and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. I'm grateful that they are making their voices heard in calling for urgent action on the climate crisis."

Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall was unable to meet the campaigners, but they have since attended one of the MP’s surgeries in Thornbury.

He said: “I met climate change campaigners in Thornbury where I was excited to highlight this government’s world leading commitments to net-zero Carbon by 2050.

"The UK is the first major nation in the world to commit to this fantastic step and I was so pleased to support this Conservative policy in parliament.

"The Conservatives are taking further action on banning single use plastics and micro-beads, halting the production of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040 and introducing the first 25 year environment plan.

"As I have said in the House of Commons, we should tackle these issues now rather than at a greater environmental cost later.”