FIVE Greenpeace campaigners who spent the night on top of a chimney at a Kent power station have decided to end the protest.

They were the last of more than 50 activists who led a dawn raid on the Kingsnorth Power Station yesterday in protest at plans for a new coal-fired plant.

Eighteen protesters were arrested at Kingsnorth Power Station, at Hoo, hours after the group walked through security at the site unchallenged shortly after 5am.

The final five started making their way down the 200 metre tower shortly after noon today, and expected to be arrested by police waiting at the bottom.

The protesters had hoped to paint Gordon Bin It down the side of the chimney, but decided to call off their protest after a court injunction was served against them. They succeeded in completing the first word.

The injunction, obtained by plant owners E.ON yesterday had led to the majority of protesters giving themselves up by 7pm last night.

Fifteen of these had been chained to conveyor belts, while another three had barricaded themselves inside an oil store room. All 18 have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

A spokesman for Greenpeace said: "A high court injunction was served against us so the remaining protestors have agreed to come down.

"We expect they will be arrested when they reach the bottom of the chimney but they are prepared for that."