³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Greta Thunberg joined thousands of young people for a climate strike in Bristol.

The teenage campaigner said it was up to children "to be the adults in the room" so they could act to combat climate change.

The protest was organised by the Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate (BYS4C).

Organisers expected children from all over the country to join the 17-year-old activist for the event.

Police estimate around 20,000 people turned up to see the Swedish climate campaigner.

Greta, who arrived in Bristol by train and electric car, gave a speech to the crowds gathered in College Green telling them: "I am so happy to be here in Bristol with all of you."

"I will not be silenced while the world is on fire" she said passionately, wearing her trademark yellow coat.

"World leaders are behaving like children so it falls on us to be the adults in the room. They sweep this mess under the rug... We are the change and the change is coming whether you like it or not."

Just after midday the march got under way, with Greta leading the crowds through the city.

Hundreds of children have braved the rain in Bristol, armed with their homemade banners.

"As soon as Greta came on, everyone started screaming and shouting and it was amazing!" said one young marcher.

Another child, who had joined classmates on the school strike, said Greta's speech was "very inspiring and it was amazing to see her today".

There were road closures to accommodate the 20,000 visitors to the city centre today, and Avon and Somerset Police said the event went smoothly with no incident.

However, the grounds outside Bristol Cathedral where the main protest took place were heavily damaged by the thousands of pedestrians.

The City Council say they will "make an assessment over the next few days and decide what plan of action is required to repair and grow new grass."

BYS4C member Izzy Smitheman also attended Friday's march.

"We're all climate activists," she said before the event, "and to know that Greta Thunberg, who is the catalyst behind this movement, was coming to Bristol - we are all shocked but also excited."

Greta Thunberg kick-started the #FridaysforFuture movement when she started missing lessons to protest outside the Swedish Parliament.

Her strike has gone on to inspire students across the world.

On 23 February Greta spoke at a climate protest in Hamburg and since she has been in the UK she has visited Oxford University and met up with education activist Malala Yousafzai.