Extinction Rebellion activists have dug up the front lawn of a Cambridge University college in an environmental protest.

The group said they were campaigning against Trinity College's plans to sell off land they own in Suffolk to someone with their sights set on developing a lorry park for thousands of vehicles.

"We must call time on those profiting from the destruction of nature," XR Cambridge said.

The environmental campaigners also accused the college of investing millions in oil and gas companies, as reported in student newspaper Varsity.

Images showed tufts of grass scattered over the lawn in the aftermath of the protest.

Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Show all 22 1 /22 Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protest outside Store X on the Strand, London, during London Fashion Week February 2020. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Katie Collins/PA Wire Katie Collins PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protest outside Store X on the Strand, London, during London Fashion Week February 2020. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Katie Collins/PA Wire Katie Collins PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protest outside Store X on the Strand, London, during London Fashion Week February 2020. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Katie Collins/PA Wire Katie Collins PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists block a road, holding signs and flags, during protest outside a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protest outside Store X on the Strand, London, during London Fashion Week February 2020. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Katie Collins/PA Wire Katie Collins PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 A taxi and a bus wait as Extinction Rebellion activists block a road, holding signs, during protest outside a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protest outside Store X on the Strand, London, during London Fashion Week February 2020. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Katie Collins/PA Wire Katie Collins PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists block a road, holding banners and flags, during protest outside a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS/Henry Nicholls Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 A bus waits as Extinction Rebellion activists block a road, holding signs, during protest outside a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 An Extinction Rebellion activist displays a currency bill representation with a message during a protest outside of a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists hold a banner as they protest outside of a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists hold a banner as they block a road outside of a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protesters on the Strand, London as part of a protest against London Fashion Week. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protesters on the Strand, London as part of a protest against London Fashion Week. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists march on the road during protest near a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protesters on the Strand, London as part of a protest against London Fashion Week. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protesters walking up to the Strand, London as part of a protest against London Fashion Week. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion protesters on the Strand, London as part of a protest against London Fashion Week. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 15, 2020. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Fashion. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown PA Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists block a road, holding banners and flags, during protest outside a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists march during protest near a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists block a road, holding signs and flags, during protest outside a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Extinction Rebellion block roads at London Fashion Week, February 2020 Extinction Rebellion activists block a road, holding signs and flags, during protest outside a venue for London Fashion Week, Britain February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS

A college spokesperson said: “Trinity College regrets the criminal damage done to its property beside Great Gate.

"The College respects the right to freedom of speech and non-violent protest but draws the line at criminal damage and asked the protestors to leave."

Cambridge Police said they were working with the college following the incident.

"A crime has been recorded for criminal damage," they said.

XR Cambridge blocked a road in the city on Sunday to campaign for greater action against climate change, the group said on social media.

They said activists plan to cut off Trumpington Road in a week-long protest "to force local institutions to take action on the climate emergency".

Following the demonstration on Trinity College's lawn, a spokesperson said: "Academics at Trinity are actively engaged in research to understand and develop solutions to climate change, and taking practical steps forward.

"The College fully supports the University initiative, Cambridge Zero.”

Extinction Rebellion also demonstrated outside the International Maritime Organisation's headquarters in London on Monday.

The protest, which saw activists dressed as polar bears, aimed to call on the UN's international shipping regulator to introduce stricter rules on exhaust pollution from ships.

Climate activists also targeted London Fashion Week last week, calling for the event to be cancelled over concerns about the clothing industry's environmental impact.