Ropes and cutters found at demo

Campaigners want to halt plans for a coal-fired unit at Kingsnorth

A man and a woman have been charged with obstructing the police after bolt croppers and climbing ropes were seized at a demo outside a Kent power station.

Police say padded suits, glue and pipes adapted to allow people to carry out tactics know as "lock-ons" were also found near the Climate Camp in Hoo.

Activists have begun gathering at Kingsnorth power station to protest against the burning of coal for energy.

The protesters said items essential to camp health and safety were removed.

They claimed more than 100 police officers focused their search on items such as guy-ropes for securing marquees, radios used in medical emergencies, and building materials.

Thousands of people are expected to arrive ahead of the main protest day of 9 August, when camp organisers say they intend to "shut down" the plant.

Warrant executed

Police say the charges were made against a 27-year-old woman and 23-year-old man after a warrant was executed at a site occupied by Climate Camp supporters.

About 20 activists from the Climate Camp also blocked an entrance to agriculture and animal nutrition company Cargill at its site in Cobham, Surrey, on Friday.

Protesters started arriving in Hoo on Wednesday at a field about half a mile (1km) from the 2,000-megawatt plant, which supplies electricity to 1.5 million homes in the South East.

Police have a £1m budget for the camp, with 1,400 officers from 26 forces on standby.

E.On UK has said it will demolish the existing power station and replace it with a coal-fired unit which it says is 20% cleaner.

Medway Council approved the E.On planning application at the beginning of January.

The final decision on the proposed coal-fired station is to be made by the government.