A SMALL group of environmentalists occupying Rockall in protest at oil activity in the Atlantic yesterday claimed sovereignty over the inhospitable outcrop.

The protesters, from Greenpeace, hoisted a flag at the top of the 70-feet high rock and declared a new global state of Waveland. But they stressed they did not want to own Rockall.

The move is unlikely to bring the green body into the periodic diplomatic dispute between Britain, Ireland, Iceland and Denmark over the rock, which is 290 miles from the Scottish coast.

The Government has said Rockall is British territory and that the protesters are welcome to stay as long as they like.

Three Greenpeace activists-Peter, Meike and Eric-who were landed on the island by helicopter last week, plan to stay "indefinitely" by taking refuge in a purpose-built survival capsule.

Four campaigners will occupy Rockall, with one always "off-duty" on the support vessel MV Greenpeace, stationed nearby.

Waveland was a new kind of country designed to protect the globe, rather than to exploit it, Peter said, adding, "We hope this is the start of a peaceful revolution."

Greenpeace deputy executive director Chris Rose said, "Four nations want the oil around Rockall. We do not recognise their right to develop it.

"We have told Tony Blair that we don't want Rockall itself but that the oil should be set aside for the common good."

"We are borrowing it until it is freed from the threat of development," he said.