Four arrested in nuclear protest

Two protesters have so far scaled fences at Faslane naval base

Four people have been arrested during a blockade at the home of the UK's Trident nuclear submarine fleet on the west coast of Scotland.

Organisers said 2,000 people were involved in the demonstration at the Faslane naval base on the Clyde. Police put the number at between 600 and 700.

The protest was organised to highlight links between militarisation, war and world poverty ahead of the G8 summit.

It was the eighth of its kind at the base since 2000.

As the blockade began a trumpet player sounded a mournful note but as the crowds began to gather, drummers took over and tried to create more of a carnival atmosphere.

The event at the base 30 miles west of Glasgow was organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and Trident Ploughshares.

It was supported by groups such as the Campaign Against Arms Trade, Stop The War Coalition and G8 Alternatives.

These weapons are the most expensive scrap metal in the world because they won't be used. If they were used, the planet itself would be destroyed Tommy Sheridan SSP Picnicking for peace at Faslane protest

Organisers estimated the number present at about 2,000 split between the base's north and south gates.

If their numbers are correct, it would be exceed the previous highest turnout of 1,000 for a protest which took place in 2001. However, police gave a lower estimate.

Politicians who took part included Green MEP for south east England, Caroline Lucas, along with Green, Scottish Socialist Party and Scottish National Party Members of the Scottish Parliament.

'Useless instruments

CND vice-president Bruce Kent, who was at the protest, explained the reasoning behind the blockade.

"What we're saying is that to spend money on these illegal and useless instruments is really ridiculous when you talk about poverty in the world," he said.

"I'm sure that there are many people who would agree with what we're doing here today.

A woman has her face painted at the gates of Faslane naval base

"It's a serious demonstration to point out that we're spending a trillion dollars a year on weapons and the poor are starving in the world - that's the message."

SSP MSP Tommy Sheridan was one of the first to sit down outside the north gate.

He said: "The message to G8 leaders is quite simple - if you are serious about saving millions of lives then stop spending £646bn a year on arms and start spending the money on food, medicine and clothing.

"That way, we can stop 50,000 humans a day from dying prematurely.

"These weapons are the most expensive scrap metal in the world because they won't be used. If they were used, the planet itself would be destroyed."

'WMDs on our doorstep'

Deputy leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon said: "We have got some of the most powerful guys in the world meeting in our country and I think it is important to let them know that people in Scotland find it immoral that we are living in a world where millions of people don't have enough to eat and yet we have very expensive weapons of mass destruction on our own doorstep."

Chris Ballance MSP, Greens speaker on nuclear issues, said: "It has been a very successful day so far and there is a very positive atmosphere.

"Our aim has been to expose the unacceptability of militarism and nuclear weapons, and we have been successful in doing that."