ENVIRONMENTAL group Greenpeace International was ordered to pay more than $660 million (£509m) in damages to a pipeline company by a US court on Wednesday.

The claim, by Dallas-based Energy Transfer and subsidiary Dakota Access, relates to protests against construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota.

The company accused the Netherlands-based campaigners, Greenpeace USA and funding arm Greenpeace Fund Incorporated of defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy and other acts.