As Robin Hood takes cinemas by storm, its legendary star rode his horse through the streets of Glasgow, fighting for the rights of the poor and challenging the new UK government to sign up to the Robin Hood Tax.

The Robin Hood Tax is a 0.05 per cent tax on major financial transactions, which could raise up to £250 billion annually to help fight poverty and climate change, both at home and overseas.

With G20 finance ministers preparing to meet in Berlin later this week, Robin Hood rode down Buchanan Street, calling on the UK government to introduce the Robin Hood Tax and turn a crisis for the banks into an opportunity for the rest of world.

Accompanied by Maid Marion, Friar Tuck and Oxfam Scotland Merry Men and Women, the infamous outlaw distributed gold coins to passers-by, urging them to "be part of the world's greatest bank job" and sign up to the Robin Hood Tax campaign.

Events are also taking place in England, France, Germany, the United States, Canada and Australia today and will continue throughout the week, calling on all G20 governments to sign up to the tax, which is backed by a coalition of anti-poverty organisations, including Oxfam.

Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said:

"The Robin Hood Tax campaign is now a global phenomenon, with events taking place in at least seven countries on three continents this week.

"We thank those in Scotland who have already signed up to the campaign and hope that many more will join the hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who are urging their political leaders to hold banks accountable for the economic crisis they helped create.

"With the new UK government promising up to £6 billion cuts in public spending this year, the Robin Hood Tax, a 0.05 per cent tax on major financial transactions, could raise up to £250 billion annually to help fight poverty and climate change, both at home and overseas."

Russell Crowe, who currently plays Robin Hood in the Hollywood blockbuster of the same name, expressed his support for the tax.

Speaking in Cannes last week, Russell Crowe said:

"I think in essence, it's (the Robin Hood Tax) not a bad idea. They need to be careful how they word any document. Banks have a habit of stinging you at both ends.

"It is always a point which bothers everybody when banks seem to put up their charges on an annual basis yet also seem to publish these gigantic profit figures in the same year and you wonder why your own life isn't moving at the same pace."

The Robin Hood Tax has also got support from actors Bill Nighy, Sienna Miller and Jaime Winstone and over 350 economists, including Jeffrey Sachs and Joseph Stiglitz.

People can sign up to the Robin Hood Tax by visiting www.robinhoodtax.org.uk