Safety alert for power protesters

E.ON is planning the UK's first new coal-fired power station for 24 years

Energy company E.On has warned climate change protesters to stay away from one of its power stations where a demonstration is due to begin.

About 1,500 people are said to be preparing to shut down Kingsnorth power station in Kent to protest against plans to build new coal-fired units.

An E.On spokesman urged the activists to keep outside the gates to prevent the possibility of serious injury.

Protesters say they will approach Kingsnorth "by air, land and sea."

A "four-pronged" attack to reach the power station includes a flotilla of rafts crossing the River Medway.

A second group of campaigners plans to lead a procession to its main gates, while a third aims to reach it through undergrowth, and a fourth aims to make a "secret air approach".

Dangers

We're very concerned about the long-term sustainability of the planet Kevin Smith Climate protester

E.On spokesman Jonathan Smith said: "If you look at a power station clearly there are many areas where there's large scale machinery working, they are very tall structures.

"If you do not know what you are doing you could really very seriously injure yourself at a power station and we do not want that to happen," he added.

E.On said it had brought in extra security advisors to prepare for the protest, with the safety of the people involved of paramount concern.

Other warnings have come from the police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

'Determined'

Police say the Medway is a busy tidal river with dangerous mudflats, and it would be "folly" to try to cross it.

The Medway harbour master has refused permission for the regatta under river byelaws amid concerns over safety.

And Colin Ingram, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said anyone falling into the water could get hypothermia within 45 minutes.

But Kevin Smith, who is taking part, told the BBC they're very determined to go ahead with the protest.

"We're very concerned about the long-term sustainability of the planet," he said.

"Obviously safety is paramount in our preparations but E.On really can't go ahead with this. It's going to take us to the edge of an ecological catastrophe."

Camp for Climate Action spokeswoman Jessica Glynn added: "The last thing we want to do is injure ourselves or anyone else.

"Nobody is allowed to participate if they have not had full health and safety training and are not wearing life jackets."

Policing row

Up to 1,400 police officers from 26 forces around the country have been drafted in to police the event since it officially began last Sunday.

On Thursday, Kent Police had stop-and-search powers extended to the whole of the Hoo peninsula.

They said the decision had been taken because officers continued to find people carrying potential weapons.

But two MPs and an MEP - Norman Baker, Colin Challen and Caroline Lucas - have said the powers undermined civil liberties.

Since the protest began, about 22 people have been arrested, 14 have been charged and two have received cautions.

Plant plans

The action is part of a week-long protest at Kingsnorth organised by Camp for Climate Action.

They are campaigning against plans to build two new coal-fired power stations - the first to be built in the UK for 24 years.

The plans have been approved by Medway Council but the final decision rests with the government.

E.On said the plants would be operational by 2012 and would provide energy for 1.5 million homes.