PROTESTERS unhappy at the treatment of Vestas staff on the Isle of Wight have chained themselves to a crane in Southampton.

Members of Workers Climate Action are protesting in Empress Dock, as part of a campaign for Vestas workers who have recently been made redundant.

They have hung a banner declaring "Wind power to the people" from the cranes loading blades onto the BBC Ohio.

On the crane at Empress Dock, protester Jackie Sheedy said, “ After the factory occupation ended, Vestas and the government hoped we'd all just quieten down. But we're united in this blockade.

"The island workers need those jobs, and we all need them if we want even a chance of combating climate change for our children.”

Reports suggest the protesters arrived by powerboat this morning, using the boat show as cover.

Others have boarded the Blade Runner barge, which is used to transport turbine blades between the Isle of Wight and Southampton.

They have unfolded a banner, saying "Our Blades, Our Power".

One of the protesters, Jamie Rigby, who was sacked from his job at Vestas, told the Daily Echo: "The plan is to bring the crane to a halt and cause as much disruption as possible and stop the blades being shipped to America.

"It's a continuation of the protests that took place on the Isle of Wight, and we will carry on as long as we can."

Last month protesters were removed from two protests on the Isle of Wight over the loss of more than 600 jobs.