Climate change activists' plan to spray fake blood on the Treasury did not get off to the best start.

Extinction Rebellion protesters used a hose from an old fire engine to spray 1,800 litres liquid at the 100 year-old building, but they quickly lost control of the powerful water jet.

Protesters say they are "highlighting the inconsistency between the UK government’s insistence that the UK is a world leader in tackling climate breakdown, and the vast sums it pours into fossil fuel exploration".

The Met Police said five men and three women had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.