Seven anti-war protesters were arrested yesterday after campaigners boarded a plane at a Scottish airport to search for US weapons being transported to Israel.

Two men and a woman were in custody after getting on what is understood to be a military plane at Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire.

Police confirmed a further four people - two men and two women - were also arrested at the airport at about 3.30am.

Anti-nuclear campaign group Trident Ploughshares said its activists had boarded a US plane while carrying out an investigation into the British Government's involvement in the transport of arms to Israel. The seven are expected to appear in court today.

David Mackenzie, of Trident Ploughshares, said protesters had accessed the plane by cutting through a perimeter fence at the airport. They found the military area and a US plane with its door open.