A man from Grays, who has campaigned vociferously to reform social services since his daughter was temporarily taken from him, gained huge attention on social media after he uploaded a video of him protesting outside the Thurrock Civic Offices.

Jack Barnes, has been standing outside the council offices in Grays with a megaphone this week calling on the council to reform their social services department.

He uploaded a Facebook Live video which attracted 25,000 views.  

Mr Barnes had his daughter taken away from him by social services at Thurrock Council in 2012.

Following a legal battle, Mr Barnes was reunited with his daughter 10 months later.

Now he is a dedicated "children's rights campaigner".

Calling social services “forced adoption”, he said: “I am raising awareness as a children’s rights campaigner. Children are screaming to be heard.”

"It's not only this council, but council's up and down the country.

"I scream for children all over the world, and I think 'forced adoption' needs to be brought to the forefront."

Mr Barnes, who wears a signature red cap and goes by the pseudonym of #scousemegaphoneman, will be campaigning outside the Thurrock Civic Offices all week during National Adoption Week.

The council declined to comment.