Amazon fulfilment centres have come under attack this morning as protesters block distribution

But, they have confirmed it is business as usual at the Longtown site.

This comes on one of the busiest days of the year for the shopping giant.

In a release from Extinction Rebellion they explained from 5am this morning, Extinction Rebellion has blocked a total of 15 Amazon fulfilment centres in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands on Black Friday, the major global discount day.

In the UK, people from all across the country are taking part, with 13 blockades in Doncaster, Darlington, Newcastle, Manchester, Peterborough, Derby, Coventry, Rugeley, Dartford, Bristol, Tilbury, Milton Keynes and Dunfermline. These sites account for more than 50 per cent of Amazon deliveries in the UK.

A spokesman from the Extinction Rebellion said: "The group is blocking the entrances using bamboo structures, lock-ons, and banners with the words ‘Amazon crime’, ‘Infinite growth, finite planet’ and ‘Black Friday exploits people and planet’ on them. In Tilbury, a rocket part blocked the entrance with an eager Jeff Bezos sat riding it, and the words ‘To extinction and beyond’ written on its side. The group intends to stay for at least 48 hours.

"The action is taking place on Black Friday in order to confront the exploitative and environmentally destructive business practices of one of the world’s largest companies. Amazon is known for a long list of widely recognised “crimes” – from tax avoidance to the exploitation of workers, to rampant wastefulness and ecological destruction – while making its founder and largest shareholder Jeff Bezos one of the richest men on earth. The action aims to expose Amazon’s crimes, while holding it up as an example of the wider economic system, which is designed to keep us hooked on buying things we don’t need, at a price the planet cannot afford.

"Black Friday epitomises an obsession with overconsumption that is not consistent with a liveable planet. Amazon and companies like it have capitalised on our desire for convenience and stoked rampant consumerism at the expense of the natural world, trapping consumers inside a cycle of buying our way to oblivion."

A spokesman from Amazon said: “At Amazon, we take our responsibilities very seriously. That includes our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040 - 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement - providing excellent pay and benefits in a safe and modern work environment, and supporting the tens of thousands of British small businesses who sell on our store.

"We know there is always more to do, and we’ll continue to invent and invest on behalf of our employees, customers, small businesses and communities in the UK. We’re proud to have invested £32bn in the UK since 2010, creating 10,000 new permanent jobs across the country this year alone, and generating a total UK tax contribution of £1.55bn in 2020.”

the team at Amazon insist they are doing everything they can to 'minimise any potential disruption to customers' and are working with the police, to ensure the safety of our employees and those protesting.

A spokesman for Cumbria police said: "The Constabulary is aware of protests taking place nationwide. The Constabulary is on contact with other forces and is monitoring the situation."