Munitions experts have told a court that machinery and tools found south of Reading were used to manufacture illegal weapons. Forensic teams investigating the factory confirmed the presence of live weapons, with the potential to kill many people. Giving evidence yesterday Mr Nicklin explained how a number of lathes, metal cutters and drilling machines were found at the address. In a statement forensic scientist and firearms specialist Michael Vaughan added: "I have no doubt these premises have been used for the construction of weapons."

Trident Ploughshares discovered the secret work at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Burgfield during a protest that saw two of their number arrested and pledged to continue their protests. Labour Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Reading East Anneliese Dodds was disappointed that she was not one of the lucky few arrested: "I really fancied going myself, but I had other commitments that weekend, like campaigning for a party that voted for the building of a Trident replacement."