Eleven arrested over AWE protest

Trident Ploughshares are protesting against the expansion of AWE

Eleven people have been arrested after a demonstration at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Berkshire.

Police were called to Aldermaston shortly after 0500 BST where protesters had tried to block four entrances.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Police said: "They were using locking devices to attach themselves vehicles and other objects."

The protesters, one man and 10 women, were held on suspicion of obstruction of the highway.

Campaign group Trident Ploughshares said it was protesting against the expansion of the base and the creation of "weapons of mass destruction".

AWE provides the warheads for Trident, the submarine-launched missile system that constitutes the UK's nuclear deterrent.

Angie Zelter, who organised the blockades, said they were "responsible non-violent attempts to prevent nuclear state terrorism".

MoD Police described the demonstration as "peaceful".