Climate change campaigners today set up a camp near Heathrow Airport, two days earlier than planned.

More than 1,500 people from across the UK and other parts of Europe are set to join the camp, which was officially due to open on Tuesday.

Organisers announced today they had already set up the camp on a site north of Heathrow between the villages of Sipson and Harlington and appealed for help in starting to prepare for the series of workshops and talks which will be held at the camp. Several days of activities will be held including a day of action next Sunday against the “root causes” of climate change.

Publicity surrounding a controversial legal move by the British Airports Authority (BAA) aimed at banning protests will lead to more people than expected joining the camp, organisers believe.

Up to 1,800 police from four forces will be on duty amid fears in Scotland Yard that the protest will attract people intent on causing trouble. Some civil rights activists have voiced concerns at police tactics after officers made it clear they would deal “robustly” with any problems. A similar camp last year close to the Drax power station in Yorkshire by 400 protesters led to 40 arrests.

This week’s camp will feature 100 workshops on issues ranging from campaigning skills to practical training on how to take direct action, organisers say. Talks will be given by environmental campaigners and demonstrations will be organised on how to build compost toilets as well as the latest sustainable technology. Activities will be arranged for children attending the camp with their parents.

A day of action is planned on Sunday, August 19, although what form this will take will not be decided until the campaigners have been on the camp for a few days.

A spokeswoman said: “Our plan has always been that people who come to the camp will decide themselves what kind of action they want to take, but we have been very clear that we will not be going onto Heathrow’s runways.

“There has been a lot of talk about disruption but our aim is not to affect passengers or ruin holidays - we simply want to challenge the aviation industry."

Mark Bullock, Managing Director of BAA Heathrow said BAA “always respected people’s democratic right to protest lawfully”.

“We believe that there is an important debate to be had regarding climate change," Mr Bullock said. “However, we do not believe our passengers and staff should be harassed or obstructed by any unlawful direct action. Our passengers and staff also have rights.”

Around 1.5 million passengers are due to pass through Heathrow during the week of the climate camp, Mr Bullock said. He added: “It is our responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can to guarantee their safety and comfort during this very busy period.

"With the current terrorism threat, keeping Heathrow safe and secure is a very serious business. Any action taken by the protestors that distracts us or the police from this task is irresponsible and unlawful.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman said around 150 people had camped out at the Imperial College sports ground at Sipson Lane. He added: “It is all peaceful at this stage and the protest is being policed appropriately.”

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