A MAN has been charged with criminal damage after the windows of a Somerset bank were covered in fake oil and a demonstrator GLUED HIMSELF to the floor in the branch.

The demonstration followed a protest by Extinction Rebellion (XR) Wells, with protestors holding crime scene tape and placards.

Protestors targeted HSBC and Barclay's branches in the city as part of a global day of action for Money Rebellion.

The protesters were raising awareness of the trillions of dollars still invested by banks in fossil fuels.

A man who took part in the demonstration said: "I've put fake oil on the bank as a symbol of the investments in fossil fuels which are betraying life, the planet and our future.

"Let’s demand banks wash themselves of fossil fuels and pray that they may serve life rather than profit from destroying life.

"Investing in fossil fuel companies is betraying life. Fossil fuel companies plans are incompatible with limiting temperature rise to 1.5C, destroying ecosystems and harming indigenous communities.

"Time to switch bank, in action, demanding banks serve life rather than destroy.”

A 35-year-old man was charged after the incident, police said.

“A man has been charged with one count of causing a public nuisance and one count of criminal damage following an incident at Barclays Bank in Market Place, Wells, on 1 April 2021," said a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police.

“He has been released on unconditional bail to appear at Yeovil Magistrates’ Court on May 11.”