Protesters were out in full force ahead of the first meeting of the new Dorset Council.

Climate campaigners as well as those protesting against plans for thousands of homes north of Dorchester, and the academisation of Budmouth College all turned out.

The most well attended demonstration was that organised by Extinction Rebellion which led to councillors declaring a climate emergency.

Ahead of the vote Andy Smith, co-ordinator of the Extinction Rebellion protest, said: “We have one goal today – that’s for Dorset Council to declare a climate and ecological emergency.

“We want to work with the council and for them to take our argument on board.

“Climate change is a global issue that affects everyone, from all different backgrounds.”

The group of protesters from all different age groups and areas of Dorset came together in the Borough Gardens before marching to South Walks House, chanting and waving their placards .

As part of the protest, protesters laid down by the entrances to the council offices in what they called a ‘die-in’, below.

Dorset Echo:

The purpose was to reflect the impact of climate change on humanity.

Mr Smith added: “This technique will help us get our message across, it’s not too disruptive, but disruptive enough that councillors will take notice.”

Meanwhile, Budmouth Anti-Academy Action also held a protest outside the council offices.

The college is set to be taken over by the Aspirations Academy Trust in September.

Dorset Echo:

A parent who wished to remain anonymous claimed: “Basically, it’s all about profits and not pupils. When the academy takes over they will be reducing staff – they’re already in the process of making redundancies."

The parent claimed the academy plan was being 'forced upon' the college because it had been placed into special measures.

Caroline Lester, who also attended, said she was concerned about job losses at the school, restrictions to the curriculum and how SEN children will be affected.

She added: "I think the headteacher David Herbert seems very passionate and is very communicative, we are behind him and his team, but don't think Aspirations Academy Trust is right for Budmouth."

In response to concerns, Mr Herbert said: "We have held two very positive meetings at the college to discuss the process of Budmouth becoming an academy. It was nice to be able to share some exciting future plans about the curriculum and pastoral systems. Whilst it is clear that academisation will always draw strong views, the overriding sense of feedback from our parents is that it is time to move forward and not back."