Campaigners to stage 10-day peace camp at airbase

Campaigners staged a similar event in May at RAF Lakenheath

Activists will march through two counties before setting up a peace camp outside an airbase for 10 days.

Lakenheath Alliance For Peace will begin a three-day walk from Norwich to the US Air Force (USAF) base at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Saturday.

From Monday they will then camp here until 25 July to peacefully protest against nuclear weapons.

It comes after a document stated work was underway in preparation for the Lakenheath base's "upcoming nuclear mission", although the USAF has not commented on this.

Between 30 and 50 people will gather at the steps of Norwich City Hall at 10:00 BST on Saturday before setting off on the journey from 10:30.

On Monday morning they will arrive in Brandon and head to RAF Lakenheath at 13:00.

That afternoon the peace camp will be set up before the group intends to hand deliver a letter to the base commander on Tuesday.

Vigils, protests and workshops have been scheduled while the group is camped.

RAF Lakenheath is the largest US Air Force operated base in England

The Ministry of Defence said it would not confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location, as per a long-standing UK and Nato policy.

A spokesperson added the government department respected the right to protest and would do nothing to prevent members of the public from exercising their right to peaceful protest.

A spokesperson for RAF Lakenheath said the base was aware of the planned event.

"We respect the right of all people to protest, and our hope is that should individuals invoke their right to demonstrate, they do so peacefully and safely," they said.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Police added: "Alongside partners, the constabulary has been planning for this event for some time to provide a proportionate, lawful and effective policing response to this planned protest.

"The constabulary will seek to facilitate peaceful protest, by supporting and protecting those engaging in peaceful protest in respect of their rights of freedom of expression, assembly, and association, whilst balancing the needs and rights of the military base, local communities, businesses, and the wider public."