Student protesters placed the blame for climate change inaction on the Conservatives during a demonstration in Brighton.

Thousands of campaigners, young and old, circulated around the city’s clock tower with banners and posters as part of the Youth Strike 4 Climate event.

As they gathered, the group began chanting anti-Tory slogans and were also critical of world leaders, including Donald Trump.

Climate change protest
Protesters of all ages joined the march through the city (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

Stephen Bradley, 55, said: “The situation in Venezuela is part of it, the United States is trying to get its hands on their oil reserves, which is going to accelerate global warming over the next few decades.”

They also shouted “tell the truth” as student socialist groups began circulating leaflets.

Activist Connor Rosoman, 21, said: “The Tories are a party of big business, they’re not going to do anything.

Climate change protest
Marchers were armed with placards and banners (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

“It needs to be ordinary people to make the change and turn society into something that’s not based on profit.

“Nationalisation can help. We can’t control what we can’t own.”

Roads were then brought to a standstill as the protesters marched through the city.

Police cars and officers accompanied them throughout.

Local residents watched from their windows and cars as the group moved through the streets.

The march ended in the Level park where they waited for Green MP Caroline Lucas to arrive.