CLIMATE change activists today entered the headquarters of a construction contractor they say is bidding to build a coal-fired power station.

The Don’t Build Kingsnorth group claims Laing O’Rourke wants to build what would be Britain’s first coal-fired plant in 30 years, at Kingsnorth.

Six protesters went inside the company’s offices in Crossways, Dartford, speaking to staff and handing out leaflets, while the protesters say another group scaled the building and hung a banner reading Don't Build Kingsnorth.

The activists say Laing O'Rourke is one of six companies bidding to build the controversial power station claiming if it was built, it would emit more carbon dioxide than the entire country of Ghana.

Activist Pietro Testa, aged 35, said: “In their publicity Laing O'Rourke claim that their people want to respond to unprecedented environmental challenges.

“We're here today to hold Laing O'Rourke to account and to tell them clearly that building Kingsnorth would directly contribute to an unprecedented environmental catastrophe.”

Another activist, Hannah Chisolm, aged 21 said: “Coal is the dirtiest form of fossil fuel.

“Climate change is already killing 300,000 people a year.

“Building another coal power station is clearly insanity.

“We were inspired by Thames Valley Climate Action's action at the offices of another Kingsnorth bidder, BAM Nuttall earlier in the year.

“Any firm bidding to build Kingsnorth needs to know the extent of the opposition they will face.”

"A year ago I went to the Climate Camp, which was held outside Kingsnorth.

“Today's protest shows that, even though the location of the Climate Camp has changed, Kingsnorth remains a target for Climate Change campaigners.”

A Laing O’Rourke spokesman said: “Laing O'Rourke can confirm that a small number of individuals held a brief but peaceful protest outside the offices in Dartford.”