Mining protesters take to the Iron Bridge

Campaigners who are protesting at an opencast coal mine destined for Telford today unfurled their colours for all to see – from the top of the world famous Iron Bridge.

The protesters draped a giant banner, measuring almost 24ft by 7ft, over the World Heritage Site landmark in view of thousands of Bank Holiday visitors.

One protester, a 30-year-old mother from Telford, said today: "We are trying to raise awareness. We are still finding a large amount of people do not know proposals for a coal mine are in existence, let alone it being so close to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

About 100 other green campaigners were due to join protesters over the weekend at the camp in New Works woodland near the site where the mine is to be dug, at Huntington Lane, Little Wenlock. The camp was set up a fortnight ago by around half a dozen protesters whose ranks were soon swelled sympathisers.

The row centres on a decision by the Secretary of State John Denham last October to allow UK Coal to mine 900,000 tonnes of coal at Huntington Lane over a three-year period.

Objectors claim the 230-acre site should not be touched despite the fact that diggers have already been on site. UK Coal bosses have said the camp is illegal and they have vowed to take legal action to get the protesters removed.

Opponent of the mine plans, Elaine Adams, said: "The Don't Wreck The Wrekin protest camp is growing. Hundreds may well be expected up to April 4 when they launch Fossil Fools Day, a protest about plans to open cast huge tracts of land under The Wrekin for six months worth of coal."