Greenpeace protesters tried not to ruffle shoppers' feathers when they staged an eye-catching demonstration in Cornmarket.

Activists dressed as penguins to hand out leaflets urging people to protect the Antarctic.

Among those briefing shoppers was Oxford branch activist Steve Ball.

He said: "This is a really good way to get people's attention."

Greenpeace wants to 'create the largest protected area on earth: an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary'.

Referring to the Ocean Sanctuaries Project, the charity said: "This would put the waters off-limits to industrial krill fishing vessels, creating a safe haven for emperor penguins, orcas and the mighty blue whale.

"Shrimp-like krill may be no bigger than your little finger but without this vital food source, most marine life in the Antarctic would vanish. And yet the fishing industry is looking to expand.

"Healthy oceans are essential for all life on Earth but our blue planet faces mounting pressures, from climate change to plastic pollution.

"The last thing Antarctic wildlife needs is another threat to its food."

Supporters are being asked to text PROTECT and THEIR NAME to 60777 to sign the petition urging the Government to support the creation of an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.