Protest camp at defence factory

The small group has built tree houses on the land

Campaigners have set up a protest camp near a Derby factory making power systems for nuclear submarines.

The camp is opposite the Rolls-Royce factory on Raynesway and the protesters are demanding the facility be converted to non-military projects.

Demonstrations have been repeatedly held at the factory, which is one of the city's major employers.

Police said they were visiting the site everyday and would monitor the number of people living there.

Sarah Lansenby, who has previously taken action at Rolls Royce with action group Trident Ploughshare, said radiation was a safety threat and the manufacturing of nuclear weapons should be stopped.

"Rolls-Royce should stop manufacturing the nuclear fuel which powers submarines, some of which are the Trident submarines involved with our nuclear war heads."

Trevor Lloyd- Davies, a campaigner at the site, said the 1,200 workers at the factory could be put to better use.

"They are some of the best engineers in the world - perhaps they could make something that's more beneficial to people."

Rolls-Royce was unavailable for comment.