Residents and visitors to Cockermouth made their feelings known on climate change as cars honked horns, a choir sung and someone banged a drum to reiterate their concerns for the environment and the need for legislative change.

Main Street was a hub of activity with children and adults carrying placards, Sing Owt choir turned up to join them and there was plenty of support from passers by.

In the afternoon the protestors moved to the Kirkgate Centre for various activities including speeches, poetry and crafts.

One of the organisers, Clare Rodgers, 15, who has been involved in all five protests in Cockermouth,said it is probably the biggest turnout that they have had. She said: “It’s been really good that the adults are showing support, and it’s been really lively with the choir here too. The government needs to implement a new green deal today. We’ve had lots of support from passers by, there is so much support in West Cumbria.”

Isabella Bridgman, 15, said: “It’s an amazing turnout. It’s good to see how people are being so supportive and we have had kids from all over, there are people here from Whitehaven and Keswick. The climate crisis is very scary and threatening. There is a need to take action now. If we all work together we can do something about it.”

Isabella’s sister, Matilda, 11, was also supporting the strike and their mother, Letitia Thornton, is proud of them both. She said: “I’m hugely proud of both of them, The protest has taken lots of organising. It’s lovely to see so many people on board.”

Marion Bowman, from Cockermouth, said she was supporting the strike: “Because I think we’re long overdue serious action on global heating and we face the extinction of life. I wanted to support the children who are wiser than all the adults.”

Debbie Watson was carrying a ‘we can do much better banner’ that was created by her grand-daughter, Rosie Watson, 25, who is currently running across Europe and Asia doing climate activism on foot. Rosie is interviewing people along the way and attended the UN Climate Change conference in Bonn, Germany.

Debbie said: “Everyone locally can think what they should do, such as joined up transport. It is excellent that the children are coming out today, they totally understand what the challenge is and they are trying to get Allerdale to understand.”

Louise Benn, from ethical fashion store Ruby & Bean was also supporting the strike. She said: “It’s lovely to see the kids carrying the message that we are trying to promote in our sustainable business, so I wanted to come and support them.”

Climate action group Climate Emergency West Cumbria (CEWC) representatives Mike Brown and Julia Robinson were supporting the strike and had a petition on climate change to go to Allerdale council which so far has 1,200 signatures.

Mike said there would be a meeting of CEWC for anyone that would like to go at Friends Meeting house, Cockermouth, on October 4 at 7pm.