FRIENDS of the Earth protesters have branded Esso the world's number one global warming villain, and they are urging drivers not to buy Esso fuel in Wiltshire on May 18.

Hundreds of Esso garages around the country will be targeted by people concerned at global warming.

The environmental campaigners claim Esso, which is part of the multi national ExxonMobil corporation, worked hard to block action to stop global warming.

They claim pressure from Esso was one of the main reasons the US pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, the only international agreement to cut pollution causing global warming.

But Esso says it does not deny the link between fossil fuels and global warming and that it does take the problem seriously.

North Wiltshire Friends of the Earth member Derek Quinn said: "Action is needed now to stop global warming.

"Esso must stop sabotaging agreements to tackle this problem. Esso thinks it's too big for the rest of us to stop if wrecking the planet. It's wrong.

"Our message is simple if you're worried about global warming, don't buy Esso fuel."