Twelve people have been arrested at an airfield where US B-52 bombers are being prepared for deployment to the Gulf.

A group of people cut through fencing at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to get closer to the 14 warplanes.

The planes are expected to be at the forefront of any initial attack against Iraq.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "These persons have been arrested for criminal damage and aggravated trespass.

"At no stage was the security of the base compromised."

Gloucestershire Police had stepped up patrols at the RAF and USAF base and had also invoked special stop and search powers to detain anyone regarded as suspicious within a mile of the perimeter fence.

There has been a steady stream of peace protesters outside the base throughout the week.