SOME 200 people took part in a climate march in Bournemouth town centre this afternoon – joining tens of thousands doing the same thing across the world.

The People’s Climate March saw 2,500 such gatherings globally as people made their stand on the eve of an historic United Nations summit on climate change.

In Bournemouth, marchers, most wearing something green or with a green heart painted on their faces and some carrying banners, walked through the gardens to Pier Approach and back to the Square.

Michael French, the local coordinator of campaigners Avaaz, one of the groups behind the People’s Climate March, organised the Bournemouth event alongside representatives from other environmental action groups.

He said some 1,500 people within a 15k radius had already signed the petition calling for 100 per cent clean energy.

“The aim is to raise awareness and open peoples’ eyes to the fact that we do care about what is happening and we are speaking out positively to say thank you to people who are making a difference,” he added.

Quentin Hill, who was there with wife Theresa and four-month-old baby Sidney, said: “This planet is for him – we are only borrowing it.”