ENVIRONMENTAL protesters welcomed the Prime Minister’s father with a surprise visit.

Stanley Johnson spoke to Extinction Rebellion campaigners and wore a sticker with the group’s symbol on a visit to Shoreham on Wednesday.

The red-robed environmentalists greeted Mr Johnson before he was due to speak about the “rewilding” movement at Shoreham Wordfest.

At the event in the Ropetackle Centre, Mr Johnson spoke with Sussex Wildlife Trust president Tony Whitbread about rewilding in the county, which involves leaving green spaces for nature to take over.

Knepp Castle Estate in Horsham is a famous example of rewilding in action.

Since 2001, the former farmland has been left for grazing animals to take over. Now rare species inhabit the estate.

Both Mr Johnson and Mr Whitbread said humanity “needed to rebalance its relationship with nature” in order to properly tackle the issue of climate change.

Tomorrow at the Ropetackle Centre the Wordfest will continue with a “Climate Emergency Summit” at 10am.

Speakers will include TV presenter Peter-Owen Jones and human ecology professor Dan Osborn.

Tickets are £20 and are available at Shoreham Wordfest stalls at the Farmers’ Market and online at shorehamwordfest.com.