Station cuts power output after break-in

Fifteen environmental campaigners chained themselves to a conveyor belt carrying coal into Didcot station A, while about 15 others climbed to the top of a 200m-high chimney to paint a slogan, "Blair's Legacy" on the outside.

Shortly after 1pm, managers at the station, run by npower, scaled down coal-powered production to save the remaining coal inside for peak demand at tea-time.

Managers at npower say there is no threat to local electricity supplies at this stage, and have not yet bowed to Greenpeace's demand for them to switch to more-environmentally-friendly, gas-powered production at Didcot A.

Protesters are continuing to negotiate with Thames Valley Police officers on site and say they are prepared to stay put for several days.

Fifteen environmental campaigners chained themselves to a conveyor belt carrying coal into Didcot station A while about 15 others attempted to climb one of the 200-metre high chimneys.

Some of them were successful and this morning could be seen waving from the top of the chimney.

The protesters broke into Didcot - which they claim is second most-polluting power station in Britain - at 5.30am by walking along the internal rail line.

Greenpeace campaigns director, Blake Lee-Harwood, 44, said, while chained to the conveyor belt: "It was a dirty walk in the dark for us this morning, but it was worth it.

"We have all chained ourselves to this conveyor belt so if (plant owners) npower switch it back on something very nasty will happen to us.

"We are going to hold out for as long as we possibly can because Didcot A can burn gas or coal.

"The longer we stay here, the longer they can't use coal and then they will be forced to switch to gas, which is less polluting."

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said they were negotiating with about ten protestors. A further ten to 15 protestors were believed to be on the site.

One man has been arrested for aggravated trespass.