DOZENS of people gathered in Haddington today (Friday) to protest about climate change, following on from the protests of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg and climate strikes happening across the world.

People of all ages took to Court Street, brandishing placards and sharing their views on climate justice.

The strike was organised by a range of local climate and sustainability community groups after Jo Gibb from East Linton Melting Pot attended the Mothers Rise Up strike in London.

Jo wanted to host a similar strike in East Lothian but make it more inclusive, so combined with the local climate groups to arrange today’s protest.

One of those who attended was East Lothian MP Martin Whitfield, who said he was “proud to support all of the young people and people who are here making change”.

Many of the protestors urged East Lothian Council to think about its climate change strategy and make some important changes.

Brett Walker, committee member for the East Lothian Greens, criticised some of the words used in the council's recent climate change strategy document.

He said words like “longer term” needed to be changed and the council needed to invest in “active travel”, with work needing to be done much sooner than planned.

One speech criticised the council's pension fund and investment in fossil fuels.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, cabinet member for the environment, who witnessed the rally, said: "The pension fund does not belong to the council, it belongs to a separate body. We have wrote them a letter asking them to remove their investment that is having an impact on the climate.

"We can't make any change, we can only advise them, it is up to them what they invest in."

Young people made sure to make their voices heard, with 15-year-old Matthew Morrison from the Haddington branch of Scottish Youth Climate Strike saying: “Climate change is an important part of everyone’s life, it’s an issue where people need to do more.”