Thousands of activists are expected to converge in Kingsnorth to protest about controversial plans for a new coal-fired power station. Police have cancelled leave and rest days that clash with the week-long protest and have arranged public meetings to put residents' minds at rest.

The protest - on a field next to the power plant - is expected to see 2,000 climate campaigners swarm into the area on August 4 to 10. Kent officers, who will be pooling their resources to cover the week of action, have been liaising with colleagues in the Metropolitan Police, who dealt with a similar demonstration at Heathrow last year.

Campaigner Isobel Michel, 34, one of the organisers of Camp for Climate Action, said: "There will be one day of direct action when we will do whatever needs to be done to stop the new power station."

The police have sent letters to every address on the Hoo peninsula and public meetings have been planned to discuss how to keep "disruption to a minimum."

Mrs Michel, who lives in London, said: "Whether we go into the station and do this or that I cannot say because we decide that by consensus just a few weeks before the camp."

The activists' website includes tips on taking part in "direct actions", including tying up hair and leaving behind address books and diaries as "the cops would love to have your mates' numbers."

Protestors fear clashes with the police and have set up a team of solicitors, specialising in unfair arrests.

Kent Police said in a statement: "We will provide policing to enable lawful protest, but will act when necessary to enforce the law."

Mrs Michel said: "I know they are increasing the police presence for the camp. It shows where priorities lie with the authorities. "We are being criminalised for trying to tackle climate change." Controversy has surrounded Eon's plan to build a coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth - the first in Britain in 30 years.

The company has leafleted residents on the peninsula warning them about the upcoming protest. Christine Gurr, who is clerk of Grain Parish Council, will be among those attending a meeting organised by the police at Grain village hall on Thursday.

Mrs Gurr said: "To be honest, nobody seems to know much about it at the moment. I am hoping the meeting will make people aware about what to expect."

Mum Veronica Cordier, who has lived on the peninsula all her life, said: "I'm sure there will be some disruption and because it's out in the middle of nowhere, I hope they bring their own water. I'm not sure it's exactly environmentally-friendly."

Medway MP Bob Marshall-Andrews said he was hoping to lend his support to the protest by attending on one of the days. He said: "I've grave reservations about the proposal. This is an extraordinary state of affairs."

He added that the phrase "saving the world" was no longer a cliche. Greenpeace activists scaled the plant's huge chimney in October to highlight the organisation's objection to the proposal.

Villagers can discuss issues relating to the protest with police from 7pm to 9pm at the BAE Sports and Social Club, Bells Lane, Hoo, on June 10 and Grain Village Hall on June 12. Police have set up a hotline to deal with residents' concerns on 01634 792660.
 http://www.climatecamp.org.uk