Around 200 people have gathered in the Science Museum in London to protest against an oil giant sponsoring an exhibition about greenhouse gases.

       Supporters of Extinction Rebellion stood outside the museum waving flags and banners, playing drums and blowing whistles on Sunday night, before going inside and refusing to leave.

       Some of the protesters glued or locked themselves to the railings inside the museum.

       Five put their arms through the railings then glued their hands together, while six deadlocked their necks to the railings.

       Some of them are scientists, dressed in lab coats, while others are in clothes with Extinction Rebellion logos.

       The crowd chanted: "No more petrol, no more diesel, funding fossil fuels is evil."

       A 12ft model of a pink dodo - the bird that was driven to extinction in the 1660s - was erected by protesters.

       Extinction Rebellion has criticised the Science Museum for taking funding from Shell for the Our Future Planet exhibition, which began on May 19 and runs until September.

       Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has also hit out at the Shell sponsorship after previous reports said the museum had signed a gagging clause over the exhibition funding.

       A Shell spokesperson said: "Shell and the Science Museum have a long-standing relationship based on a shared interest in promoting engagement in science, which will be a key enabler in addressing the challenge to provide more and cleaner energy solutions.

       "At Shell our target is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society.

       "As Shell works with our customers to identify the best paths to decarbonisation, we seek to avoid, reduce and only then mitigate any remaining emissions.

       "Developing carbon capture and storage and using natural sinks are two of a range of ways of decarbonising energy."

       A spokesperson for the museum said: "Throughout the day our team has facilitated a peaceful protest at the Science Museum, ensuring the health and safety of everyone in the building while enabling thousands of people to enjoy their visit to the museum."