Campaigners planning a protest camp later this summer came under fire from locals at a public meeting in Hoo.

The event was organised by Kent Police to give residents living on the peninsula the chance to raise their concerns ahead of a week-long demonstration planned at Kingsnorth in August.

Camp for Climate Action is encouraging thousands of people to descend on the area to object to plans for a new coal-fired power station at the site.

Kent Police and Medway Council organised the meeting to listen to residents’ fears and answers questions.

But some locals took the opportunity to voice their objections directing their fury directly at representatives from Camp for Climate Action and the World Development Movement.

Arthur Barnard, 69, of Webb Close, Hoo, said: "I have lived in Hoo for 33 years and we have lived with the power stations for all that time, we are not worried about the new one.

"There are only two roads in and out of Hoo.

"The camp will mean extra traffic on the roads and it's going to cause havoc. I think the protesters have got a cheek inviting us down to join the camp.

"We haven't invited them into our village and we don't want them here."

Police and officials from Medway Council outlined plans for keeping disruption in the area to a minimum.

The first meeting took place on Tuesday evening at BAE Sports and Social Club Hall, Bells Lane, Hoo.

People will have a second chance to air their views from 7-9pm tonight at Grain Village Hall, Grain.

Over the next month, neighbourhood officers and a mobile police station will be out and about on the Hoo peninsula ahead of the protest camp, due to take place between August 3 and 12.

A special hotline and email address have been set up for anyone with concerns or queries specifically about the camp, who can contact the police in Medway on 01634 792660 or by emailing kingsnorth.enquiries@kent.pnn.police.uk