Extinction Rebellion protesters block street in central Manchester

Activists protesting against climate emergency set up camp kitchen in busy Deansgate

Extinction Rebellion protesters have begun blocking Manchester's Deansgate in protest at the "huge contradictions" of a city region that has declared a climate emergency planning to massively expand its airport.

A yellow boat bearing the words "Planet Before Profit" was parked at the John Dalton Street junction and a tipper truck arrived packed with straw bales. Soon, guerrilla gardeners had set up a nursery of plants on what is one of Manchester's most polluted streets, and a camp kitchen began to be erected.