The Medway Messenger first reported in March plans to make Kingsnorth Power Station the focus of this year's climate change call to arms.

Camp for Climate Action was behind a similar protest at Heathrow airport in 2007, estimated to have cost police £7 million to manage.

The protesters shut down BAA's headquarters for 24 hours.

E.ON's Hoo site was chosen because of plans, due to be decided by minister this Autumn, for the construction of the first new coal-fired plant in decades.

The two day protest by Greenpeace campaigners last October, may have been a test run, not only for protesters, but also Medway's ability to cope.

Last year's dawn raid was estimated to have cost Kent Police £32,000. The bill is expected to be much higher this time around.

Discussions have taken place between the organisers and Kent Police about its approach to the camp, which they say will cause minimum disruption.

But police won't be taking any chances with an increased presence on the Peninsula, expected to rise significantly as the Camp gets underway on August 3.

The protest, will officially begin the day before with a one-day event at Heathrow before marching across London and down to Kingsnorth.

Others will be shuttled to the proposed camp site by bus from Strood station with hundreds more expected on Sunday to support a seven mile march from Rochester Town Centre to the gates of Kingsnorth Power Station.

The campaigners will set up a camp close to the power station.

Saturday, August 9, has been named a day of mass protest and direct action against Kingsnorth to highlight its impact on climate change.

Anna Jackson, from Camp for Climate Action, speaking in March, said: "We don't know the exact location for the site yet but it will be close to the power station.

"We had 2,000 people at Heathrow and we expect at least as many people at Kingsnorth.

"The people involved are committed to peaceful direct action but this doesn't mean they are not prepared to break the law.

"A lot of people feel they have to break the law to make a difference on the big issues."

"We want thousands of people to get involved. We are inviting everyone who cares about this issue to join us."

"The camps will be a place to meet others who want to take action and decide what action to take together."

A spokesman for Kent Police, quoted at the time, said: "We are aware of the plans for a protest at Kingsnorth and will police it as appropriate.

"We are also aware that in some circumstances people have a lawful right to protest and the police have a duty to facilitate them."