GREENPEACE activists yesterday set up the first so-called embassy for their newly-formed Waveland state on the remote Atlantic outcrop of Rockall.

With a regal flourish, campaigners from the environmental protection group read out a declaration of independence and issued passports to passers-by at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

They were demonstrating their support for three Greenpeace activists who landed on the island last week in protest at oil activity in the Atlantic.

The trio claimed sovereignty over the rock, 289 miles from the Scottish coast, hoisting a flag.

Greenpeace oil campaigner Robbie Kelman said: "Today has seen the opening of the first embassy of Waveland. More will follow.

"We are urging everyone concerned about the global environment to show their concern by becoming a citizen of Waveland."

The first person to receive a passport was Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Matthew Taylor.

He said: "This is a good way of raising an important issue. If governments are serious about decreasing global warming and pollution, they have got to think about alternative sources of fuel and stop planning future oil exploration."

Ambassadors dressed in gold and purple read out an independence declaration, pledging that through non-violence they would seek "to defend nature, to protect the global commons, to reform industrialism, and to secure peace, believing in action, rather than words".

The group also delivered a letter to Foreign Secretary Robin Cook outlining their concerns about oil exploration and inviting him to become an honorary citizen of Waveland.

Greenpeace is also hoping to attract passport applications via the Internet.

The Greenpeace campaign is an environmental echo of the historic territorial disputes over the rock. Viewed as a prized outpost because of the fishing and oil potential in its surrounding waters, it has been the subject of territorial wrangles among Britain, Ireland and Denmark.

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, which is stationed nearby.