Oil giant BP had its international headquarters besieged by inflatable sea creatures as environmentalists protested over a forthcoming drilling project.
Greenpeace marched on the central London office as BP prepares to search for oil near a coral reef off the coast of South America next year.
Giant inflatable marine life including jellyfish and starfish were paraded along The Mall and past Trafalgar Square to reach the building shortly after 8am.
Signs reading “BP: Back off the Amazon Reef” were held up alongside the colourful procession.
Activists said they intended to remain camped outside BP, in St James’s Square, for several hours on Monday morning.
Greenpeace said the exploratory drilling work, due to begin near the recently discovered Amazon Reef, risks an oil spill which could prove catastrophic for sea life.
A spokesman for BP said: “In 2013 the Brazilian Government awarded exploration blocks in the Foz do Amazonas basin, offshore Brazil, to BP and other companies.
“BP operates one of these blocks, which is around 160 kilometres offshore.
“We have a commitment to begin drilling operations for an exploration well on this operated block by August 2018. Drilling operations will only begin after a drilling licence is granted by the Brazilian federal environment agency.
“We are engaged in the process required to gain this permission, including submitting an environmental impact assessment for review and approval.”
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