Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters stage dramatic 'die-in' at London's Natural History Museum

At least 100 Extinction Rebellion protesters staged a dramatic "die-in" in the main hall of London's Natural History Museum.

Monday's demonstration saw activists lying on the floor as regular museum visitors went about their business as normal.

The group said the stunt was to raise awareness of what they claim is a "sixth mass extinction".

The die-in ended after about half an hour, with the protesters breaking into applause.

Fleur Anderson, a Wandsworth borough councillor who took part in the die-in, tweeted: "Applause as the Natural History Museum protest finishes - but the rebellion continues. It was the most relaxing protest I’ve ever been on! But the message is serious. Political action has been too slow - we need urgent actions for #ZeroCarbon2025."

Police were at the scene. And one unnamed father, who was visiting the museum with his two young children, was not impressed.

He told the Press Association: "I just think they are wasting police time. I think it's ridiculous. They are taking police away from where they should be."

Some protesters, wearing face paint, veils and robes, remained after the stunt to give a performance to classical music.

Since the Extinction Rebellion protests began on Monday last week, more than 1,000 people have been arrested.

Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and Oxford Circus were open to traffic on Monday after days of gridlock caused by activists calling for the government to declare a climate emergency.

Though mass disruption was halted on Monday, campaigners were plotting their next move at Marble Arch, the only Met-sanctioned protest space.

Members said they would commit to not disrupting other areas of the capital in exchange for mayor of London Sadiq Khan speeding up the implementation of the Declaration of Climate and Ecological Emergency, as well as considering setting up a London Citizens' Assembly.