Emma Thompson backs Arctic drilling protest

Internationally renowned actor and screenwriter Emma Thompson has joined Greenpeace campaigners outside Shell's London headquarters protesting against the oil giant's Artic drilling.

Two weeks ago, the Obama Administration gave Shell the final permissions to begin drilling into the Arctic seabed. It now has until 28 September to strike oil, at which time it must close up its operation for the winter.

Thompson helped steer a huge polar bear puppet - the size of a double decker bus  - to the South Bank location. Six protesters are inside the bear, ensuring that it can't be removed.

Thompson is intending to break a legal injunction banning Greenpeace UK staff and activists from crossing a line drawn around the Shell building on the South Bank.

“Shell crossed a line when it moved its rig into the Arctic, so I’m going to step over its line," she said. "And when I do I’ll be carrying the names of thousands of people who stand for Arctic protection. We’re drawing our own line, a line in the ice, and we’re telling Shell to pull back its rig.”

More than 7m people have signed the Save the Arctic petition so far. More than 600,000 of them are from the UK.