A throng of passionate youngsters protesting for climate change took their cause to Labour MP Luke Pollard's office earlier today.

Keen to bring about change, students turned up in their droves at the meeting point near the Civic Centre to join together in making their voices heard over climate change and the environment.

Today was the first UK-wide education protests arranged as part of a national march called Youth Strike 4 Climate, arranged by the UK Student Climate Network, a group of young people motivated by government inaction and determined to highlight the need for positive change to avert climate breakdown.

Schoolchildren and students are taking part in the Youth Strike 4 Climate protests across Devon and Cornwall
Schoolchildren and students are taking part in the Youth Strike 4 Climate protests across Devon and Cornwall

Pupils from across Plymouth gathered earlier today before marching down to Luke Pollard's office at Frankfort Gate.

The Labour MP came out to meet the congregation of young faces and answer some of their questions.

He said: “It was great to speak to young people from Devonport High School outside my office today who are worried about climate change and the lack of action this Government is taking. Climate change is real, it is happening right now and it is threatening the future for communities across the planet.

"These young people should not have to march today. But too often the interests of young people are being side-lined by this Government and these protests across the country tells our political leaders that they need to listen – young people are making their voices heard because they want to protect our planet and their future.

Protesters in the city centre
Protesters in the city centre

"These young people set an example to politicians in Westminster who are paralysed by Brexit while the world is facing a climate catastrophe if we do not act. We need to reform our economy to meet our Paris Climate Change targets and that is what a Labour government would do.”