Extinction Rebellion protesters block junction outside the Bank of England

Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked a junction outside the Bank of England in a bid to disrupt the City of London.

Dozens of activists are sitting or standing in the road as City workers leave Bank tube station.

In some surrounding streets traffic has been brought to a standstill, with long queues of buses sat empty with their engines off.

Protesters, sheltering under umbrellas, are holding flags bearing the Extinction Rebellion logo.

Others nearby are handing out leaflets which say "We're sorry" and explain why they are protesting.

Activists covered themselves in a large green tarpaulin to protect against the rain.

Many held banners and placards with messages targeting financial institutions, such as "divest from climate change" and "invest in soil not oil".

Dave Evans, 32, an IT consultant from London, said he had taken two weeks unpaid leave to join the Extinction Rebellion protests.

He said the finance sector needed to "stop funding the climate crisis".

"These huge corporations are financing fossil fuels and [are] being subsidised by the Government," he added.