Environmental activists were criticised by a town councillor who branded their methods "project fear".

Extinction Rebellion members attended a town council meeting on Monday to give an update on their work to tackle the "climate emergency".

Councillors were supportive of their aims whilst at the same time criticising some of the more disruptive tactics used by the group.

Councillor Bob O'Shea said: "It's project fear; you're not selling it well enough. The aims I can't disagree with, but with a name like that you're scaring people."

Councillor Grenville Chappel asked the trio: "Is this the same crowd that went to London and caused all that chaos?

"I'm very proud that I didn't make it [to Extinction Rebellion's Falmouth talk]. If that's the way you want to do it, upsetting people, it's totally the wrong way.

"You're totally right but you have got the wrong approach."

In response, Falmouth University art lecturer and activist Matt Osmond said: "The scale of the changes that are taking place brings fairly strong evidence that it's been successful."

He went on to say: "The strategy of Extinction Rebellion is based on a close reading of successful social movements."

One councillor, Anna Gillett, was fully supportive of the group.

She said: "I think that it's very difficult for people to engage with what you're saying because it's utterly terrifying."

She went on to say: "I know that it's only with solidarity, unity, people coming together that we make the changes."

Extinction Rebellion made headlines locally for their Falmouth Week stunt in which they boarded more than 200 boats overnight and fixed slogan-bearing flags to them.

The environmental group, which has branches across the globe, uses civil disobedience to garner attention for its cause.

Members have organised high-profile protests including widespread demonstrations in London in May.

Art lecturer Matt Osmond, walking tour guide Paul Simmons and researcher Zoe Young gave the presentation on Monday.

They asked if the council would consider allowing them to use the newly-opened Atherton Suite to host a public talk and debate.

Councillors agreed to allow them the use of the room and the foyer of the municipal building to distribute literature but pointed out that the council is apolitical and does not necessarily endorse their methods.