Beachgoers were left stunned after seeing what appeared to be man with his head shoved in the sand.

The ‘man’ was motionless as he stayed with his head buried at Weymouth Beach for up to eight hours on Sunday.

It turned out that it was actually a dummy, ‘ERnest’, – an installation by Extinction Rebellion to remind people of the climate crisis.

According to Extinction Rebellion (XR) Dorchester and Weymouth, hundreds of people read the placard next to ERnest and took photos of the installation.

The group says the message is clear: “This is a climate crisis. Don’t bury your head in the sand. Act now.”

Emma Smart, coordinator with XR, commented “ERnest is serious and resolute; he is true to his name and his message. But he is no dummy.”

She said installations such as this “tell the truth, prompt questions, start conversations and encourage people to act now on the climate and ecological crisis.”

On Saturday, August 31, Extinction Rebellion will be staging a ‘day of action’ in Weymouth town centre.

A spokesman from the group added: “ERnest marks the beginning of the build-up to this day of action when Extinction Rebellion will be rising up… just like our seas.”