Crushing fears over Greta Thunberg speech at Bristol climate rally

Parents have been warned there's a potential for crushing during a rally Greta Thunberg is attending with thousands set to converge on Bristol.

The climate change activist will take part in a Youth Strike 4 Climate march through the city centre on Friday.

Police fear the sheer number of people who will come to see her speak will mean normal safety precautions will not be adequate.

A joint statement from Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset Police said they were "unable to accurately predict how large this event will be".

"The event has grown so large that the usual controls, stewarding and safety measures that are routinely put in place by the teenage Youth Strike 4 Climate organisers may not be adequate, especially for primary school children and people with disabilities.

"We would therefore encourage those attending, or who are responsible for children who wish to attend, to consider their arrangements carefully and make their own informed decisions.

"In terms of big crowds, there is the potential for trips, slips, falls and crushing.

"Please do not underestimate the scale of this protest."

Those attending were also warned it will be unlikely people will be able to leave the area quickly, and access to toilets and water will be very limited.

Delays to public transport are also expected.

On Tuesday, the 17-year-old activist met Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai at Oxford University.

Yousafzai shared an image of herself with the Swedish teenager on Tuesday with the post "Thank you @gretathunberg" along with a heart emoji.