Extinction Rebellion activists from Spain were given a big send off in Summertown yesterday before continuing their trek to the climate summit in Glasgow.

The eco campaigners were seen banging samba drums and waving colourful flags at a gathering outside the Co-op in Summertown, Oxford.

The gathering was to give a send off to a group of nine activists from several environmental organisations in Spain, who stopped in Oxford for the night on their 1,000 km march to Glasgow, and the COP 26 Climate summit meeting.

When the Spanish marchers arrived in Oxford on Wednesday evening they were welcomed by Oxford activists with a meal and rested their feet before setting off again.

Carlos Buj, the group’s project manager, said: “Thank you Extinction Rebellion and friends. We have had a wonderful welcome in Oxford, and in the other places we have stopped since arriving in Portsmouth six days ago. Sometimes our hosts for the night make us sandwiches for the next day, like being sent off to school with our school lunches.”

Oxford Mail: Extinction Rebellion actvists from Spain joined by Oxford eco activists for a send off before trek to climate summit in Glasgow. Picture: Suzanne Williams

Hiking 20 miles a day for 29 days, the Spanish eco activists aim to raise awareness about the climate and ecological emergency, the extinction of species and the crucial importance of COP26 – which has been called by several world leaders as humanity’s last change to save our planet.

One activists at the protest in Summertown said: “We believe it’s our duty to make this small symbolic sacrifice if it can help raise awareness about all that is at stake in Glasgow. We are convinced that the changes we need can only be achieved through people becoming engaged, and mass mobilisation. Leaving everything in the hands of the large companies and political elites is not the great idea that they would have us believe."

Oxford Mail: Extinction Rebellion actvists from Spain joined by Oxford eco activists for a send off before trek to climate summit in Glasgow. Picture: Suzanne Williams

The activists were also seen walking along the Thames footpath with their banners.

On Friday, the group will march through Banbury as they head towards Coventry.

April Jones, coordinator of Extinction Rebellion Oxford, said: “It has been so inspiring spending time with the marchers, their dedication is amazing. The signs are not looking good for the COP process: governments seem to be failing to step up and pledge the measures necessary to maintain a safe planet. But when you meet people with the determination to do what they can, to not give up on our shared future, it is amazingly heart-warming”.