A giant banner reading "Leave it in the ground" has been draped over the train bound for Drax near Selby.

One of the activists said the freight train was stopped using a red flag.

He said protesters had attached lines to the train's wheels to stop it moving. He said the intention was to start unloading coal using shovels.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "We've been aware that there are a number of protesters at Rawcliffe.

"British Transport Police and North Yorkshire Police are responding at the scene."

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/7452395.stm