Campaigners seeking a hard-Brexit have set off on a 270 mile (435km) ‘March to Leave’ protest from Sunderland to London.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage was one of the main protagonists behind the demonstration - however, he has now admitted he will only go part of the way.

Launching the event with a Tweet last month Mr Farage urged supporters to “get your walking boots on” involved.

We're marching from Sunderland to London to tell the Westminster elite we will not be betrayed over Brexit. Get your walking boots on! https://t.co/td1RFpbtwQ

— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) February 28, 2019

There were chaotic scenes as the walk got underway this morning, with pro-remain groups flanking the marchers with EU flags and blue and yellow flares.

Mr Farage told reporters: "The will of the people is very clear.”

"If politicians think they can walk all over us, then we're going to march back and tell them they can't. Simple as that."

Gruelling schedule

The walk ends with a rally at Westminster in two weeks time – with the Leave Means Leave campaign saying 350 people have signed up to take part.

Only 50 of those have agreed to complete all 14 days of walking, however experienced ramblers have expressed doubt about their ability to complete the feat.

Even though the walkers will be bussed 30 miles every evening from the end of one days march to the start of the next, the campaigners will still have to walk up to 20 miles (32km) a day, every day, for two weeks.

Protestors walk along the coastline at the start of the first leg of March to Leave protest in Sunderland, 16-03-2019. Image: AP Photo/Frank Augstein

March to Leave

It comes as the UK Prime Minister Theresa May continues negotiations with MPs this weekend in a bid to save the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

Mrs May is hoping to convince the ten DUP MPs propping up the Conservative Party to back her – and convince hard-line Brexiteer within her party to follow suit.

The DUP has described its talks with UK Ministers on the future of the Irish border yesterday as constructive.

Westminster has voted to extend the deadline for the UK's withdrawal past March 29th, however the remaining EU27 nations will have to agree to allow it.