Activists took to the streets of a busy Weymouth road to raise awareness for high levels of air pollution in the vicinity.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) - along with residents and Rodwell councillors - staged the demonstration on Boot Hill and Rodwell Road.

Protestors pointed to the area’s toxic air quality. They cited levels of nitrogen dioxide from car fumes, which have been raised as a concern by council Air Quality Reports.

Government figures estimate that about 30,000 people die every year as a result of air pollution.

XR activist Caz Dennett said: "The air pollution problem here is well known and has been left unaddressed for many years.

“Up and down the country there are people dying from the effects of air pollution, and here in Weymouth kids on their way to school are breathing air that is unsafe, it’s got to change. This is a defining moment in our future; we are running out of time."

The activists brought out placards and banners listing their concerns about air pollution.

These included messages such as: "Our kids breathe deadly air pollution on this street," and "Boot Hill has illegal levels of toxic air 85% of the time."

Protester Ken Huggins said: "I support Extinction Rebellion because they have actually managed to get the climate on the agenda.

"When you stand here on Boot Hill you fully realise just what a problem we have.

"There are horrendous amounts of traffic, the fumes are appalling, you can smell it and taste it.

"We definitely need to take action to improve this situation, and we need to do that now."

Cllr Graham Lambert, who represents the area on Weymouth Town Council, joined the protestors for their demonstration.

He said: "I’m supporting this very peaceful and sensible demonstration because I share their concerns.

"Not just in terms of congestion and air pollution, but in terms of the Carbon Dioxide emissions and climate change.

"We do need to make serious changes and one of those changes is around transport locally."

Extinction Rebellion is a global climate activism group that was founded in London in 2018. It advocates non-violent civil disobedience to raise awareness for the climate emergency and call for governments to take positive action.