AT LEAST 31 climate protesters were arrested today after blocking access to petrol stations and sabotaging fuel pumps on the M25.

Just Stop Oil activists targeted Clacket Lane services eastbound and westbound in Kent, Cobham services in Surrey and Thurrock services in Essex by sitting on the road at entrances with banners.

Protesters broke the display glass of fuel pumps to make them unusable and sprayed them with paint.

The activists, who demanded that the government end new oil and gas projects in Britain, aimed to disrupt fuel supplies ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

Activist Joy Corrigan, a 73-year-old grandmother, said: “I am sick with worry about how today’s children will survive.

“Every day I see more and more examples of climate change and the frequency is accelerating.

“Government, get your bloody finger out. We need action today, not tomorrow.”

Sophie Sharples, a 22-year-old student from Brighton, said: “It’s said that each generation must discover its mission, and fulfil it, or betray it.

“Ending fossil fuel consumption must be ours.

“We have such a short window of time to act to avoid the complete destruction of all we know and love.

“For all life and for the love of humanity, I have to do everything I can, and with my privilege I am able to face arrest, so I will.”

Just Stop Oil said on Tuesday that other protesters had also dug tunnels under access roads leading to fuel depots in Essex and Warwickshire and occupied them, resulting in highway closures and disruption of supplies.

The same day, 28 people were detained by Essex Police following protests by the climate group in Thurrock.