Tadley-based haulage, site clearance and aggregate company - John Stacey - were unable to take vehicles out of their main vehicle compund for more than 40 minutes after campaigners chained the gates closed.

Police from Hampshire and Thame Valley arrived after approximatey 15 minutes, but no arrests were made. Although the police did have cutting equipment with them they elected not to use it. Eventually workers at Stacey's took their own boltcutters to the chain and freed themselves.

At AWE Aldemaston itself, a substantial group of protesters maintained a noisy and high visibility presence from around 7am. By 8am there had been two arrests. As with previous months, mounted police were also in attendance.

This morning's actions are part of an ongoing campaign of nonviolent resistance to new facilities being developed at the Aldermaston site which campaigners believe will facilitate the next generation of nuclear weapons.

ENDS

Hi res photos of Stacey's blockade available