Glastonbury and Wells Extinction Rebellion will be at Glastonbury Town Hall on Friday August 28 at noon with banners drawing attention to the "millions of pounds invested in fossil fuel companies by pension investors, particularly local government".

According to the group, nearly half of all investments worldwide are made by pension funds. They say that in the UK there are 70 council pension funds, worth £200 billion, with more than five million members.

In the 2018/19 annual report Somerset County Council Pensions said its fund seeks to be a long-term responsible investor, believing that in the long-term it will generate better financial returns by investing in companies and assets that demonstrate they contribute to the long-term sustainable success of the global economy and society.

However, it also said that it has a fiduciary duty to seek to obtain the best financial return that it can for its members as a fundamental principle, and all other considerations are secondary.

The report said: "Social, environmental and ethical concerns will not inhibit the delivery of the fund's investment strategy and will not impose any restrictions on the type, nature of companies/assets held within the portfolios that the fund invests in.

"For example, the fund will not require any form of dis-investment from fossil fuels, tobacco or such like."

A Glastonbury and Wells Extinction Rebellion spokesperson said: "So that's telling us isn't it?

"And they signed the Climate and Ecological Emergency pledge? And they have to survive on the same planet we do and so do their children. Perhaps they know something we don't.

"Anyway, this is a massive issue and we hope to draw attention to it by some gentle peaceful direct action.

"From 10.30am on Friday, other members of Extinction Rebellion will be at Shepton Mallet to deliver a letter to Mendip District Council and at Sedgemoor District Council's Bridgwater council offices.

"On Saturday August 29, the group will be on Wells Cathedral Green focusing on the banks and how their investments are driving climate chaos and global warming."