Teenage campaigners have skipped classes and taken to the streets of Tonbridge to demand action against climate change.

Students walked out of the Judd School this afternoon and joined thousands of other colleagues across the country in marching through their town centre, giving speeches and parading placards with messages including 'Climate Change Costs Lives'.

The youngsters are demanding a carbon tax be introduced and a state of climate emergency be declared by the government.

The pupils are also calling for an end to the subsidisation of fossil fuel companies, a shift to see 99% of UK electricity to be supplied from renewable and nuclear sources by 2030, and more investment in infrastructure for transport electrification.

Children nationwide have been backed in their campaign by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who tweeted: "Climate change is the greatest threat that we all face but it is the school kids of today whose futures are most on the line.

"They are right to feel let down by the generation before them and it’s inspiring to see them making their voice heard today."

The campaigners said: "Climate change is the largest threat that we face today.

"Habitats are being destroyed, migration patterns are changing and an alarming number of animal and plant species are at risk of extinction.

"But global warming does not only affect wildlife, it endangers all of us. As droughts, heat waves, forest fires and other extreme weather events become more common, we are all being put at risk.

"Those that are affected most are the vulnerable, the impoverished, those who have done the least to contribute to this crisis.

"The report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published last year, clearly states that ambitious, swift action is needed to avert an irreversible climate catastrophe.

"Despite this, governments across the world, including ours, continue to treat climate change as a minor issue, failing to take sufficient action.

"Young people will suffer the consequences of these decisions. We deserve better."

Jon Wood, head teacher from the Judd School, said: "A few of the students brought this to my attention earlier in the week and said they would like to take part.

"We set up an eco committee this year and many of the students taking part are also involved in that so we sent a letter home to the boys' parents.

"I was happy to support their wish to demonstrate and show their support for the cause."