Protesters head for nuclear base

The Orion laser could help to develop a successor to Trident

Anti-nuclear protesters have been demonstrating at the headquarters of Britain's nuclear weapons programme.

Campaigners are angry at the expansion of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston, Berks, receiving planning permission from the council.

A new building is earmarked to house Project Orion, a powerful laser to help develop a successor to Trident, the UK's current nuclear weapons system.

The Block the Builders campaign has been set up by opponents of the plan.

Leaks claim

The government has said in a statement that "no decision has been made about Trident and future funding to the AWE would be made irrespective of any weapons development".

But Kate Hudson, from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), said on Monday: "There have been various leaks about the future of nuclear weapons, which cannot be ignored."

Last month, Defence Secretary John Reid announced a £1bn boost over three years for AWE.

The Trident fleet of submarines is due to be decommissioned in about 20 years, after which they will need to be replaced or upgraded if the UK is to keep an independent nuclear capability.

The Orion short and long pulse laser will allow scientists to simulate the effect of a nuclear explosion on materials.