Oil trading protesters are bailed

Protesters unfurled banners at Grosvenor House Hotel and the IPE

Twenty-nine Greenpeace activists arrested for trying to stop trading at the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) have been released on bail.

About 35 people stormed the building at Tower Bridge, London, on Tuesday. IPE said trading was not halted.

Protesters later targeted the Institute of Petroleum dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, on Park Lane.

The protests coincided with the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to curb air pollution.

Those arrested were held over a number of public disorder offences and were taken to various police stations in the capital.

'Gravest threat'

Protesters got onto the roof of the IPE where they unfurled banners.

They also hung a banner on the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Two protesters are reported to have got into the hotel and poured red wine on the tables.

Stephen Tindale, from Greenpeace, said: "Climate change poses the gravest threat our planet has ever faced, yet oil is traded in this place with impunity as if the lives of millions and the future of whole species mean nothing.

"This madness has to end, it's that simple. As Kyoto becomes law, we ask the world to take a deep breath and consider where our oil addiction is taking us."

The dinner protest ended at 2230 GMT. No-one was arrested during the disruption, Scotland Yard said.