Greenpeace is calling for government action on 4x4s

The volunteers unveiled banners and handcuffed themselves to vehicles at Land Rover dealerships in seven cities including London, Glasgow and Leeds.

Greenpeace also held demonstrations at another 30 dealers against what they say are "climate-wrecking emissions".

Land Rover has described the action as a "publicity stunt" and "misguided".

"Most of the vehicles we sell are diesel and the best seller is a Freelander which does 37mpg and its CO2 emissions are just the same as a Mini Cooper," said Mark Foster, spokesman for Land Rover, which is owned by US giant Ford.

The company has held meetings with Greenpeace and is working to further cut emissions, he added.

Tax plea

Greenpeace said it is specifically targeting sales of four-by-fours that run on petrol as they are some of the least fuel efficient vehicles on the market.

"We are trying to convince Land Rover they cannot continue to market these vehicles for urban day-to-day driving," said Greenpeace climate campaigner Emily Armistead .

"We are also trying to convince the government to address this issue by introducing a higher level of road tax for gas-guzzlers that are used in this type of way."

Scotland Yard said 10 Greenpeace demonstrators were arrested for criminal damage and aggravated trespass after a demonstration at the HR Owen dealership in South Kensington, London.