IF you're averse to attracting attention, political activism isn't usually for you.

However one thing which has become clear over the past year is climate change activism is becoming mainstream.

Around 100 residents of Colchester joined Extinction Rebellion protests in the capital last month, with two people from the town even being arrested.

The protest are on such a scale it is now impossible for their critics to label those who take part as simply "crusties" or "ageing hippies".

They're doctors, nurses, teachers and in Bronwyn Nash's case a life coach.

Inspired by a David Attenborough BBC documentary on climate change, Mrs Nash realised she had to get involve.

"It hit me really hard and I experienced an existential crisis and started feeling a bit bleak and terrified," the 42-year-old said.

"I didn't know what to do and how to carry on with business as usual.

"It took me to a really dark place and I did not want to share it with other people as I didn't want to unload everything on them.

"I needed emotional support and I thought if anyone had that support, it would be Extinction Rebellion."

So she joined a few support groups and soon became more involved with XR, which has a huge following in not just Colchester, but across the globe.

She is insistent she hadn't done anything like it before.

"I haven't been much of an activist before, maybe an armchair one, but not like this," she said.

"The scale and urgency of the problem meant I did not feel I could sit back and let other people do something about it because that seems to be an attitude which is prevailing.

"I didn't get involved because I feel they have all the answers or everything they are doing is right, but they are at least doing something.

"I have always been averse to attracting attention or authority and tried to be a good citizen.

"It felt very weird to be doing something which was designed to attract that kind of attention. It was exciting and stressful at time."

Although retired GP Shan Newhouse, 63, had some experience in political campaigning, particularly on the NHS, she too was an extremely unlikely target for police attention.

"I am a frightfully obedient person," she laughs.

"You do not get into the medical profession without being extremely good at doing what you are told.

"But being a doctor is about standing up for people and looking after them which is where all this comes from.

"I feel I have a responsibility to try and make a difference."

Extinction Rebellion have come in for their fair share of criticism from both the public and the media.

The protests cost £24m to police and led to 1,828 arrests, and 165 charges.

But with the High Court ruling the Met Police imposed protest ban is unlawful, they're unlikely to disappear any time soon.

It isn't clear yet whether the protests have had forced Government's across the globe to take notice, and more importantly action.

Although we are in the midst of an election in the UK at least.

But the climate change movement is definitely growing, nobody can deny it.

Mrs Newhouse said: "Something has changed in the last six months and it isn't just because of people like Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough.

"XR has had a big effect on public consciousness."

And if the protest return to the capital, she'll be rushing to sign up for first aid duty again straight away.

She said: "I would have been willing to be arrested, even though I was nervous about the idea.

"I do not want to live on a planet where you cannot go and see elephants in the wild or know there are tigers out there in the jungle."

Mrs Nash added: "I do not have kids of my own but I have step-daughters and they are a big part of my life.

"I do not think I could look them in the eye if I know what I know and wasn't doing anything about it. I feel a sense of integrity having taken part."