Climate activists from across Scotland will join local campaigners this weekend at a camp to protest against the chemical plants run by ExxonMobil and Shell UK.

Activists say Mossmorran is Scotland’s third largest polluter and they want the government to shut down both sites and bring forward plans for a ‘Just Transition’ to create green jobs for impacted workers.

It follows campaigns by local residents, who have held weekly protests at the site gates, conducted detailed impact mapping of air and noise pollution from flaring, and submitted over 900 complaints about the environmental and health impacts of flaring from the plants.

Mossmorran Action Weekend Camp will host a programme of workshops, assemblies and performances, with full facilities provided by volunteers from Climate Camp Scotland. On Sunday, participants will join local residents in a march to the site gates.

Jemma Kettlewell, a spokesperson for local campaign group Actions Speak Louder Than Words, said: “For communities living next to Mossmorran, the constant flaring is terrifying.

"It impacts on our mental and physical health. Residents have reported heightened anxiety, health impacts including itchy throats, asthma, headaches and migraines, and sleepless nights from light and noise pollution.

"The Scottish Government and SEPA have ignored local community concerns for too long. Now they must act.”

Unplanned flaring from ExxonMobil's Fife Ethylene Plant and Shell UK's Fife NGL Plant has seen both companies given final warnings from Sepa and threatened with legal action.

Benji Brown, a spokesperson for Climate Camp Scotland, said: "From Germany to Madagascar, this year has witnessed record-breaking floods, fires, and heatwaves.

"Yet while the government pays lip service to the climate crisis, oil giants like Exxon and Shell get a free pass to carry on polluting.

"Polls show that two thirds of Scots want to wind down oil and gas extraction and invest in green industries.

"As Scotland prepares to host COP26, it's time to quit fossil fuels for good, and deliver on the promise of a Just Transition.’"

The group has capped camping at 90, with 140 attendees during the day at the camp to ensure safe social distancing.

ExxonMobil have previously insisted that flaring is a safe and necessary safety measure and that the recent £140m upgrade at their site will help greatly reduce incidents of unplanned flaring.