WINCHESTER marched with thousands across the world on Sunday to demand action on global warming.

Around 200 people rallied on the eve of the UN Climate Change Conference to call for lower carbon emissions.

The march came as Hampshire council chiefs, lords, faith leaders and headteachers urged David Cameron to fight for a deal committing the world to limiting global temperature rises to below 2°C.

The People's Procession for Paris started in Abbey Gardens with a message of support from the Right Rev Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester.

Crowds marched up the High Street and Jewry Street towards the railway station, waving banners and singing specially written songs.

The demonstration, organised by Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) was part of an organised effort across the world, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets.

Those on the march included Winchester City Council leader Stephen Godfrey, opposition chief Lucille Thompson and Joy Carter, vice-chancellor of Winchester University.

Cllr Thompson said: “There are many opportunities locally to really make a difference. In Winchester there is a real prospect that we will be building a new leisure centre.

"This gives us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to create an exciting venue but also to make this a green energy hub which uses the latest technologies to power and heat the centre and, potentially, to serve the local community."

A small group went on to carry the WinACC banner at London's national rally.

The Prime Minister is one of more than 150 world leaders meeting this week to negotiate a deal to cut carbon emissions.

A letter signed by 750 people – including Hampshire County Council leader Cllr Roy Perry and the Right Rev Dakin – demands Mr Cameron seek a "fair, strong, legally binding, global climate deal which limits global temperature rise to below 2°C".

Peter Symonds College students Emily Cox, Carys Jones and Tom Storey-Angell delivered the letter to Number 10 on Friday.

Ms Jones said: “I am determined to make a difference to people's attitudes to environmental protection and I'm excited to be taking this letter to David Cameron because global climate change is the greatest threat to life on earth."

The Paris conference runs until December 11.

WinACC co-director Chris Holloway said: “The Paris agreement is only the start. An agreement is useless unless it’s carried out. And that means all of us – international, national, local government and every single person to take action to cut their carbon footprint."