5 September 2011 Last updated at 00:33

In pictures: Greenham Common anniversary marked

Anti-nuclear weapons protesters at the women's peace camp outside RAF Greenham Common air base

On 5 September 1981, the Welsh group Women For Life on Earth arrived at RAF Greenham Common in Berkshire to try to debate the decision to site 96 cruise nuclear missiles there.

A slogan attached to a tent at Greenham Common

A letter to the commander at the US air base read: "We fear for the future of all our children and for the future of the living world which is the basis of all life."

A demonstration against nuclear weapons at Greenham Common in 1983

When the request for a debate was dismissed, the women set up a peace camp. In the following years tens of thousands of women were inspired to join in.

Women locking arms and singing at Greenham Common

The women's protests dominated news headlines for much of the 1980s.

Protesters lie down in the road to prevent cars from passing at Greenham Common

In May 1983 the attempted eviction of members of the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp from Newbury Council land led to protesters creating human blockades.

Police inspect a caravan on Greenham Common

Living conditions were primitive. In the winter, campaigner Juley Howard said she would sleep on the floor without a tent and wake up with snow on her face.

Police drag a woman protester at Greenham Common

Some of the women were arrested, taken to court and even sent to prison as a result of their activities at Greenham Common.

Two protesters at Greenham Common in 1983

The missiles left the site in 1991 after the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty between the USA and the USSR was signed in 1987.

Women at the peace camp hug as the last perimeter fences come down at RAF Greenham Common

Campaigners celebrated on 5 September 2000 when the last perimeter fences were taken down at the site. The women left the camp 19 years to the day after the original protesters had arrived.

Berkshire

In pictures: Greenham Common anniversary marked

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