Two Just Stop Oil supporters have vandalised Stonehenge by spraying a number of the columns in orange powdered paint.

At around 11am on Wednesday, June 19 two supporters of the protest group ran across to the monument before beginning to spray the iconic rocks at the ancient site near Salisbury.

This comes just a day before thousands of attendees are expected to descend on the site, to celebrate the Summer Solstice.

Just Stop Oil said in a press release: "The two people who vandalised the monument are 21 year old Niamh Lynch, a student from Oxford, and Rajan Naidu, 73, from Birmingham."

Niamh Lynch said: “Stonehenge at solstice is all about celebrating the natural world, but look at the state it’s in.

"We all have a right to live a life free from suffering, but continued burning of oil, coal and gas is leading to death and suffering on an unparalleled scale. It’s time for us to think about what our civilization will leave behind – what is our legacy?"

The incident happened at 11am on Wednesday, June 19The incident happened at 11am on Wednesday, June 19 (Image: Just Stop Oil)

Rajan Naidu said: “Either we end the fossil fuel era, or the fossil fuel era will end us. Just as fifty years ago, when the world used international treaties to defuse the threats posed by nuclear weapons, today the world needs a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to phase out fossil fuels and to support dependent economies, workers and communities to move away from oil, gas and coal.”

“The orange cornflour we used to create an eye-catching spectacle will soon wash away with the rain, but the urgent need for effective government action to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of the climate and ecological crisis will not. Sign the treaty.”

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: “The UK’s government in waiting has committed to enacting Just Stop Oil’s original demand of ‘no new oil and gas’. However, we all know this is not enough.

"Continuing to burn coal, oil and gas will result in the death of millions. We have to come together to defend humanity or we risk everything. That’s why Just Stop Oil is demanding that our next government sign up to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.

"Failure to commit to defending our communities will mean Just Stop Oil supporters, along with citizens from Austria, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland will join in resistance this summer, if their own Governments do not take meaningful action.

"Stone circles can be found in every part of Europe showing how we’ve always cooperated across vast distances. We’re building on that legacy.” 

Just Stop Oil has said it will continue to take the 'proportional action necessary' to generate political pressure. This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance worldwide.

English Heritage has been contacted for comment.