Climate campaigners say they expect to take “direct action” at a planned march this week.

About 50 people have claimed squatters’ rights in the grounds of the former St Anne’s School in Rotten Row, Lewes, and set up a Climate Camp.

They are holding workshops at the site including advice on how to protest against specific businesses.

Yesterday the activists invited The Argus to the site.

They would not say when or how they would target their list of objectives which includes Gatwick Airport.

Ian Ratcliffe, one of the campaigners currently living at the site, said action could include anything from occupying buildings to blockading roads but said it will be peaceful.

Other named targets include a proposed biofuel plant for Shoreham Harbour, an oil drilling operation in ancient woodland near Chichester, and the Newhaven incinerator.

The group will swell numbers at a May Day protest in Brighton on Saturday alongside protesters from Smash EDO, No Borders Brighton, Brighton Anti-Fascists and Brighton Uncut amongst others.

Mr Ratcliffe, 24, a landscape gardener from Brighton, said: “The idea was a week-long camp in order to get people ready for mass action in Brighton on Saturday.

“The main part of Saturday will be a street party and march. I don’t doubt at all there will be direct action (on Saturday).

“Throughout the week we have workshops and direct action training.

“There is a real mix of tactics.”

Activists have joined the camp from Birmingham, Bristol, Portsmouth and London.

The grounds of the site have been divided into living and working areas, where workshops on guerrilla gardening and sustainable living will take place all week.

The group, which occupied the site on Friday, have also built toilets and washing facilities.

Rich Mills, another campaigner, said: “There is a lot of passion in people at the moment and climate change is a very serious issue.

“We want to bring in as many people as possible to utilise the space.

“These are real climate issues in the area that local people and everyone should be aware of.

“We are discussing what could be done to campaign against them.

“If there is the energy there and people want to go and plan an action that is something that will be discussed.”

A public meeting is being held at the site to discuss the future of the grounds.

Campaigners say the former school building has been condemned and there are concerns locally that the grounds are being eyed for a development.

The meeting will be held at 7pm today.