Climate activists have blocked Lambeth Bridge in Westminster to protest against the jailing of Insulate Britain members who breached a court injunction.

       Nine protesters from Insulate Britain were sent to prison this week for breaching an injunction designed to prevent the road blockades which have sparked anger among motorists and others affected by the protests.

       On Saturday, various climate campaign groups gathered on Lambeth Bridge to protest against the custodial sentences.

       Thirty people were arrested at Lambeth Bridge.

       The Metropolitan Police said: "Lambeth Bridge has now been reopened. Thirty arrests were made for breach of S14 conditions."

       "Make no mistake, these are political prisoners and they will not be the last," one campaigner told hundreds of supporters who gathered outside London's Royal Courts of Justice.

       The group then moved towards Lambeth Bridge, where they sat down and blocked traffic.

       "There's probably going to be a lot of arrests," a spokeswoman for Insulate Britain said. "People are so upset at the nine people going to prison, they are not going to move."

       Later in the afternoon protesters blocked roads in Vauxhall. Video has emerged of an NHS worker pleading with them to stop blocking the road so he could get home to his child.

       "This is really wrong. You've got to think about people as well," the man urges the protesters.

       The nine protesters were sentenced at the High Court on Wednesday after they admitted breaching an injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the M25 during the morning rush hour on October 8.

       Ana Heyatawin, 58, and Louis McKechnie, 20, were jailed for three months, while Ben Buse, 36, Roman Paluch-Machnik, 28, Oliver Rock, 41, Emma Smart, 44, Tim Speers, 36, and James Thomas, 47, received four-month sentences.

       Ben Taylor, 37, was given a longer sentence of six months "to deter (him) from committing further breaches" after his submissions to the court on Tuesday were described by Dame Victoria Sharp as "inflammatory" and a "call to arms".

       The judge, sitting with Mr Justice Chamberlain, said there was no alternative to custodial sentences given that the group's actions were so serious and they had made it clear they intended to further flout court orders.

       Insulate Britain has said it intends to continue the protests until the Government agrees to insulate homes.