Riot police stormed a power station belonging to the Public Power Corporation (PPC) in Kozani, northern Greece, yesterday and arrested six of the protesters who had taken over the plant for more than 20 days.

The protesters had seized control of a conveyor belt carrying lignite into the factory on May 10, protesting against the extensive pollution caused by the power station.

Police said they entered the area at 5 a.m. after giving the protesters a final warning.

There were no reports of injuries.

PPC had warned over the weekend that if the protest action continued, the company would be forced to schedule power cuts across the country.

The protesters have vowed to continue their action.