Scores of animal rights protesters have gathered to block the entrance to a factory which makes burger patties for restaurant chain McDonald's.
Dozens of campaigners from the protest group Animal rebellion joined forces to cause ‘massive disruption’ to supplies going out of the factory.
The group of around 100 people have set up a blockade using trucks, tents, bamboo structures and a roof occupation at the OSI Food Solutions distribution centre, in Luneburg Way, Scunthorpe, to stop the facility from distributing burgers.
Humberside Police have been in attendance since the protest began in the early hours of the morning, reports HullLive.
Animal Rebellion said in a statement this morning that it is "prepared to stay as long as needed to cause massive disruption to McDonald's supply chain and encourage works and supporters to join them in their occupation".
The group is demanding that McDonald's switches to a fully plant-based menu by 2025.
The Scunthorpe factory produces around three million beef patties each day for the fast food giant.
Just two months ago, Animal Rebellion shut down a number of McDonald's distribution centres, leading to shortages at restaurants.
Protest organiser Harley McDonald-Eckersall said: "We're here to demand that McDonald's switch to plant based patties by 2025.
"We're hoping to be here all weekend, we're stocked up on tents, food and water. Hopefully we can get them to engage in conversation with us and get the factory shut down.
"We've had a couple of people looking confused, but mostly everyone has been understanding in our cause.
"At the minute it's going really well, but we have to keep going."
The organisation also said it was "a mass movement using non-violent civil disobedience to call for a sustainable plant-based food system” which was “demanding that McDonald’s becomes fully plant-based by 2025".
It said it would end the blockade if McDonald’s "makes the first step towards this goal by committing to becoming 20 per cent plant-based within one year".
It adds that McDonald’s is "just a symbol of the system they are trying to change, which is the entire animal agriculture industry".
“We’re living in a time where massive change is possible, but our window to act on the climate crisis is closing quickly,” said Animal Rebellion spokesperson Rose Patterson.
“The meat and dairy industries are responsible for 80-90 per cent of Amazon deforestation, at least 18% of global emissions, and for exploiting and killing billions of animals every year.
"To save ourselves and the future of our children, we must start transitioning towards a plant-based food system.”
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said officers were in attendance at the scene “to allow people to go about their lawful business and protect the right of individuals to take part and exercise their right to peaceful protest.”
The spokesperson added: “We are liaising with representatives from all sides to address concerns.
"We are committed to fulfilling our duty to protect the human rights of all the groups and individuals with an interest in this situation."