Anti-Trident protesters arrested

HM Naval Base Clyde was the scene of Trident protests

Twelve women have been arrested outside the home of Scotland's Trident nuclear submarine fleet, at the start of a year-long blockade.

About 60 female demonstrators took part in the protest at the main gate of the naval base at Faslane on the Clyde.

Strathclyde Police said the women were expected to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

The activists said they had staged a non-violent blockade to disrupt workers entering the facility.

The arrests come at the start of Faslane 365 - a year of civil resistance to Britain's nuclear weapons programme.

Veteran activists

Campaigners hope to highlight the political and financial costs of Trident through a series of demonstrations over the next 12 months.

The UK Government has said it will make a decision on the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent at Faslane by the end of this year.

Women from across the UK, Middle East, North America, Australia, Africa and Europe are taking part in the protests.

Among the groups involved are veteran activists Greenham Women and international group Women in Black.

A spokeswoman for the protesters said there had been music, dancing, knitting and colourful banners during the blockade.