Climate change protesters set up camp within sight of bank's HQ

The protesters have set up camp near RBS HQ

It's all a far cry from storming the banking halls of The Royal Bank of Scotland, the UK's largest state owned bank.

But as protesters were tucking into a vegan dinner at their base camp just 200 yards from the global headquarters at Gogarburn last night, they insisted there is more to their campaign than causing disruption across the city.

Published authors, Oxford students and parents in their fifties were among the hundreds of protesters who set up with military efficiency the temporary camp, which is expected to attract at least 1,000 visitors by the weekend.

Despite a lacklustre launch to the campaign, which saw just 35 activists descend on St Andrew Square at lunchtime yesterday, organisers say increasing numbers of first time protesters are getting involved.

Among them was Emily Hair, a University of Edinburgh linguistics graduate from Marchmont.

The 24-year-old said she has never taken part in a march or protest before, but became interested after her flatmates asked her to help them organise the event.

She said: "I didn't realise that RBS invested in fossil fuels to such an extent until recently. I wanted to learn more about the issue and that's why I've become involved."

Alongside new recruits like Emily is Gregory Norminton, a novelist, former writer in residence at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and contributor to BBC Radio 3 and 4.

The 34-year-old, who has lived in the Capital for the past five years, said he would take "direct action" on Monday because he feels debates and legislation on climate change has failed to bring about change.

He said: "I feel with Russian burning and Pakistan drowning that legitimate forums are just talking shops. This isn't supposed to be hostile, this is to highlight the fact that RBS are investing in fossil fuels."

Ellie Roberts, media liaison officer for the camp, confirmed that direct action would be taken against the Royal Bank.

She added: "There will be direct action on Monday. However, individual groups will decide what form that will take themselves."

Two fields directly to the rear of the Gogarburn campus have been occupied, and organisers say at least 1,000 are set to attend. Organisers plan to disrupt RBS operations on Monday, including defacing sponsorship banners and logos that the bank had brought out for the Festival.

POLICE TO MAINTAIN A HIGH PROFILE

POLICE are to maintain a high-profile presence throughout the city over the weekend after 80-100 protesters attempted to gain access to the Gogarburn site.

Some activists used bolt-cutters on padlocks at the rear of the bank's headquarters around 9pm on Wednesday, but were moved onto a field to the rear of the site after security officers were alerted. Organisers have said the group will carry out a day of direct action against he bank on Monday, but said the actions would be up to individual groups.

Lothian and Borders Police said they will monitor events at the site.