Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg will be at a youth protest 40 miles from Swindon next week.

The 17-year-old Swede will be joining the Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate on College Green, Bristol, on Friday, February 28.

One of the organisers, Milly Sibson, also 17, from Bristol, told PA: "We are all just so excited - everyone is so excited about the thought of hearing her talk.

"I would love the chance to meet her because she is the founder of this movement and she is so important to it - she is an idol even though she is younger than me.

"We really hope loads of people join us to welcome her to Bristol."

Swindon Advertiser:

Greta Thunberg Picture: PA

Milly said Greta had originally planned to visit London, but as the area planned for the protest in the capital was too small the organisers had recommended Bristol instead.

On Twitter, Greta said: "Heading for the UK! This Friday, the 28th, I’m looking forward to joining the school strike in Bristol!"

Last September hundreds of climate change protestors marched through central Swindon as part of a global school strike.

They included nine-year-old Sophie Hegarty, from St George & St Andrew Primary School in Marlborough.

She told the Adver: “I’m here because there is a climate disaster. Greta Thunberg inspired me to be here today because just one 16-year-old set off the whole planet to join.”

Sophie’s dad was with her for the protest, both of them holding a sign saying ‘drive less, cycle more, fitter you, fitter planet’.

Mark, 45, said: “The climate crisis is intensifying every year that goes by and the hope that we have all put into politicians to deal with this has just come to nothing.

"I think if we don’t take action very soon we are going to reach a point where we will be in complete climate breakdown.”

Marchers chanted: "Climate change is not a lie, do not let our planet die."