Environmental activists gathered outside Worthing Pier to protest against the decision to exploit an oil field off the coast of Scotland.

Dozens of protesters from Greenpeace and other environmental groups were there to call for the decision to be reversed and to condemn the government’s recent U-turn on environmental policies.

Some dressed up in costume for the protest while others held banners that said “End Fossil Fuels Now” and “Stop Rosebank”.

Opponents of the Rosebank development believe that rapid development of renewable energy would better protect consumers, with clean power not producing emissions that are causing climate change.

Emma Cameron, chairwoman of the Worthing Climate Action Network, said: “Burning Rosebank’s oil and gas would create more CO2 than the combined emissions of all 28 lowest-income countries in the world.

“It will not lower bills or increase energy security.

“Climate breakdown is accelerating, causing rising temperatures, rising sea levels, deadly wildfires and floods.

“Instead of producing new oil or gas, we need an immediate and just transition to clean energy, such as wind and solar power.”

READ MORE: 'Greatest act of environmental vandalism': Caroline Lucas slams Rosebank oil field

The government claims that abandoning North Sea reserves would only result in greater dependence on foreign oil producers.

Energy security secretary Claire Coutinho said: “We are investing in our world-leading renewable energy but, as the independent climate change committee recognise, we will need oil and gas as part of that mix on the path to net zero and so it makes sense to use our own supplies from North Sea fields such as Rosebank.

“The jobs and billions of pounds this is worth to our economy will enable us to have greater energy independence, making us more secure against tyrants like Putin.

“We will continue to back the UK’s oil and gas industry to underpin our energy security, grow our economy and help us deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner energy.”