Almost 1,600 climate activists were arrested during a blockade of the A12 motorway in The Hague on Saturday. Game of Thrones actress Carice van Houten was among those picked up.

The protestors were arrested after refusing to leave the road, which runs close to the parliamentary complex. The occupation had been banned by the city council.

In total, 1,579 people were arrested, including 10 minors.

Nearly all those arrested were released almost immediately but 40 will face vandalism and other charges. One person was arrested for biting a police officer.

The Extinction Rebellion supporters moved in to close the motorway from midday, in protest at the government’s support for the fossil fuel industry.  The last demonstrators were removed from the road around 5.30 pm.

At one point the police used water cannon to disperse the crowd.

Pro-climate demonstrators have now closed the motorway seven times but Saturday’s demo had the most arrests.