MORE than 20 pupils from secondary schools in west Wiltshire have travelled into Bristol today to listen to a rally with teenage climate emergency activist Greta Thunberg.

They included 25 pupils from St Augustine’s Roman Catholic College in Trowbridge and one pupil from Melksham Oak Community School in Melksham.

Secondary schools in Westbury and Warminster including Matravers, Kingdown and Warminster School, said they were “not aware” of any of their pupils having gone to the rally.

St Augustine’s RC College said: “There is no school trip but a few pupils have gone.”

The organisers of the rally at College Green in Bristol have said they are fully prepared for large crowds, despite police warnings about safety.

Thousands are expected to attend the Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate (BYS4C) to hear the 17-year-old Swedish teenager speak.

Police have warned of the "potential for trips, slips, falls and crushing".

But BYS4C said it would not be "patronised" and insisted adequate safety measures were in place.

The Swedish environmentalist contacted the group via text to say she was coming to the city.

In a letter to parents, Supt Andy Bennett from Avon and Somerset Police said the force was "unable to accurately predict how large this event will be."

It had "grown so large" that the usual safety measures may prove inadequate, he said.

Izzy Smitheman, 17, is one of 30 teenage BYS4C members who have organised events in the past.

She said the group was aware that Greta's presence "raises safety concerns" and had been working with authorities to make the event "as safe and accessible as possible.”

More than 80 stewards have been drafted in to help, she said, and a sectioned-off "safe zone" would also be provided.

"Whilst we appreciate the concerns expressed by police, we have worked tirelessly to create a safe protest and fear that the urgency of climate action risks being undermined and patronised by such claims." she said.

She urged attendees to "be aware of their personal safety at all times" and to "look out for each other.”

William Brown, Bristol secretary for the National Education Union, whose branches have donated towards running costs, said the BYS4C had "a good history" of organising big events, although those involved "appreciate this time it could be different.

"We are hoping most people will be attending in a positive spirit," he said.

Member Lily Fitzgibbon was contacted directly by Ms Thunberg on February 20, stunning her fellow activists.

"I had been given a little bit of advance warning she would be getting in touch," said Lily. "So I believed it was real, but most of my peers did not."

Izzy added: "We're all climate activists and to know that Greta Thunberg, who is the catalyst behind this movement, was coming to Bristol - we are all shocked but also excited."

"We are genuinely organising it ourselves, although that sounds crazy," said Lily.

"So often with climate change but also other issues it's a case of 'leave it to the adults'.

"To have a young person leading this whole movement - it's so inspiring."

If you are going to the Bristol rally today, please contact the Wiltshire Times to tell us what it is like. Call 01225 773628 or email john.baker@newsquest.co.uk