PICTURES: Thousands take to Taunton streets for Climate Strike protest

The Climate Strike protest - which has seen more than 200 demonstrations across the country - brought scores of people on to the streets of the county town in a bid to force governments to take action.

Among them were dozens of school children who had left classes to make their voices heard.

After gathering in the High Street, the hordes made their way to Castle Green, where they were joined by hundreds more protestors.

From there, they marched, Samba band in full flow, through the town centre and up to Richard Huish College.

Among those to address the crowds at Castle Green was David Fothergill, leader of Somerset County Council.

He said: "You've done something special already - you've put this on the agenda.

"Everybody is talking about climate change and the need to change things.

"You really are making a difference."

He said the county council was set to implement a climate change strategy in the coming months, working with the four district councils across the Somerset.

"We need to make some changes," he told the crowd.

"And that's everybody, it's not just you, it's not just me, it's everybody.

"And we need to make changes in Westminster as well.

"We need to put our message across strong and loud. You have to tell everybody what it's really about.

"Let's make a difference."