Greenpeace supporters have collected more than 150 messages in Norwich urging BP to shelve plans to carry out drilling close to a recently discovered reef at the mouth of the Amazon River.

The messages were gathered at stalls set up by Greenpeace in Norwich's city centre, where they told people about the oil giant's push to drill in the environmentally sensitive area.

Nick Cull, a member of Norwich Greenpeace, said: 'The Amazon reef is a unique ecosystem for many marine species. It is very important that it remains undamaged from the effects of drilling.'

Members presented a placard representing the messages at the BP garage in Hall Road, Norwich.

The first underwater images of the reef were taken earlier this year, and scientists have just begun to document the area's biodiversity.

BP is facing a legal battle from Brazilian authorities over their plans to drill there.