MORE than 100 young people from schools across the area gathered at Kendal Town Hall as they joined the international day of action demanding action on climate change.

The youngsters were joined by MP Tim Farron, at least one local councillor and a host of other campaigners as they made their voices heard on the matter.

“I’m incredibly proud of the students that have devoted their day to protest against climate change – the biggest issue that we face,” said Mr Farron.

“This is their future that is at risk here and they sent out a very strong message that not enough is being done to tackle the climate catastrophe.

“As politicians we need to do much more than acknowledge the problem, we need to take action before it’s too late.”

The young people, who came from various schools across the area including Kirkbie Kendal, Queen Katherine and Dallam along with a number of primary schools, began to gather from 10am last Friday and by lunchtime their numbers had been boosted by other groups in what was the second such day of protest.

Madi Dodd of Kendal, who assisted in co-ordinating the event, said she was delighted at the turnout.

“They have just taken three to four hours to try to make their voices heard,” she said, and added that there was an educational aspect to the day of action which was beneficial to the young people.

The protest was one of many which took place simultaneously across the country and across the world, with many of the Kendal protestors focusing on the planning application for a new coal mine in West Cumbria, which was subsequently approved by Cumbria County Council on Tuesday.

Marianne Birkby, of the ‘Keep Cumbrian Coal in the Hole’ group which opposes the application, said she was “completely shocked” at lack of debate and analysis by the councillors.

“There are so many reasons for the decision to be challenged,” she said. “Councillors were not told of the impact by council officials.”