SWINDON anti-war protesters say they got their message across after forcing the RAF's busiest base to close its gates.

Fifteen members from the town's Stop the War Coalition were joined by 45 other campaigners from across the UK to display their anger at the Government's decision to allow RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to be used as a refuelling stop for cargo flights to Israel.

The protesters claim that the RAF base near Burford has been used as a refuelling stop by cargo planes carrying supplies and armaments to Israel to be used in the war on Hizbollah.

As part of their actions, the protesters forced the base's two main entry gates to be closed for several hours, and four protesters from Cardiff were arrested.

Andy Newman of the Swindon Stop the War Coalition said: "When the Government stopped the flights going through Prestwick Airport in Scotland and sent them through British military airbases that has just made the matter worse.

"I don't think the people of Britain would want our Royal Air Force actively supporting the war in Lebanon.

"Our protest at Brize Norton raised the profile of the situation and these protests will continue until this conflict ends."