Barclays' branches in Blackpool and St Annes shut following Greenpeace protests

The Birley Street branch in Blackpool and the St Anne's Road West branch in St Annes were forced to remain closed after the activists for the environment organisation took part in a nationwide shutdown of nearly 100 branches.

A spokesman for Greenpeace said: "Greenpeace are demanding that Barclays, the biggest funder of fossil fuels among European banks, stop propping up oil, gas and coal companies and channel funding into renewable energy.

"In the early hours of the morning, Barclays branches in Manchester, Preston, Blackpool and St Annes were rendered out of action by Greenpeace activists who disabled the doors preventing staff from entering."

One eyewitness at the St Annes bank said the activists had 'glued' the doors to prevent anyone getting in but said the ATM was still working.

A Barclays spokesman said; “Our priority is to ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and customers, and we are working hard to get our Blackpool and St Anne’s branches open as soon as we possibly can, although we are not be able to give an exact timescale.

“We recognise that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, and are determined to do all we can to support the transition to a low carbon economy, while also ensuring that global energy needs continue to be met.”