Two men have been charged with public order offences and will appear before Plymouth Magistrates after a protest today at Devonport Naval Base.

The two, a 28 year old from Taunton and 52 year old from Shepton Mallet, were among 12 people aged from 21 to 63 arrested at the base today.

The protest by anti-nuclear group Trident Ploughshares started at 6am, as protesters vowed to bring the city to a standtsill and blockade every gate into the base and dockyard.

Nine protesters secured themselves using lock-on devices outside Albert Gate. They were removed after a period of time by MOD police.

Protesters at Camels Head Gate parked a car across the entrance to the north access road, off the main road junction, where two women secured themselves again using lock-on devices.

Three more used lock-on tubes to lie down and obstruct the north access road exit onto the main road. A further five glued themselves together at the same junction.

Once freed by specialist teams five people were arrested for aggravated trespass, five for obstruction of the highway and a further two for breaching a police restriction under the Public Order Act after they attempted to lock themselves to a police van. One of the protesters moved away voluntarily.

They were all detained at Charles Cross police station awaiting a charging decision. A further 30 to 40 people protested lawfully and peacefully in the immediate vicinity.

Some then went to Charles Cross police station to await the release of their associates.

The two have been charged with public order offences.

Inspector Steve Bickley, Plymouth operations inspector for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Our role, supporting MOD police, was to allow the protesters to legally protest and to safely remove those protesters who breach the law, such as those obstructing a public highway, stopping the flow of traffic.

"As a result of the unlawful protester activity, significant disruption was caused to the flow of traffic in the dockyard area during the morning rush hour and all roads were clear by 10.30am. The protesters were allowed to protest and a minority were dealt with appropriately.

“Policing public order type incidents are always challenging for the police and we have officers who are highly trained to deal with different scenarios. Allowing lawful public protest and keeping the public safe while balancing that with having to deal with the unexpected are a key part of modern policing. This is an area where Devon and Cornwall has some very experienced and highly trained officers.”

As well as the protest at the base, a group also invaded Drake's Island in Plymouth Sound, landing on the island and hanging banners.

The national campaign group Trident Ploughshares said at least 200 people would blockade every gate to the naval base and the adjoining dockyard today in a bid to highlight the cost of replacing Trident, Britain's nuclear deterrent.

Shirley Law, a member of the Plymouth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and Trident Ploughshares, said most people in the Devonport area were concerned about the site's nuclear work. Devonport refits and maintains the nuclear submarine fleet.

But people in Devonport questioned by The Herald said they did not care about it and believed the work would help to boost the city's economy with the Royal Navy's presence dwindling.

Miss Law said: "We're hoping to stop work on the submarines for as long as possible. The hope is to bring a certain element of the naval base to a standstill.

"People living on the dockyard's doorstep are concerned by the nuclear work in Devonport", she said. "If they're not, then they should be; so too should the people working in the yard."

Miss Law said the group was expecting some people to be arrested during the event, although was to be a peaceful protest.

David Wildman of the Plymouth Green Party said he was supporting the event.

"Where's the logic in having nuclear weapons in a city of a quarter of a million people?" Mr Wildman said.

A police spokesman said there would be a small police presence at the demonstration and urged motorists to avoid the dockyard area in case of traffic delays.

The Royal navy this morning issued traffic advice to help motorists avoid the protests.

Ray Lovell, a retired dockyard worker who spent 23 years working at the site, lives near Granby Gate and said local people weren't worried by the nuclear work. "We all have the packs which tell us what to do if there's an accident, but we don't mind," he said.

"We choose to live here. The safety aspect is such a big thing nowadays."

John Chapman, who is the landlord of the Royal Naval Arms opposite HMS Drake, said: "The majority of people outside Plymouth disagree with the nuclear work but the majority of people living here don't mind. They wouldn't live here if they felt that way."

James Snowball, a 26-year-old Royal Navy serviceman who lives in Keyham, said: "The nuclear work is good for the economy. A great many jobs depend on it and will be created by more nuclear work. If the Navy is phased out of Plymouth it will help to keep the economy alive."

Retired Royal Navy officer Rear-Admiral Mike Wood, who lives in Millbrook, said: "Provided Plymouth gains the assurance it seeks about the safety of the dismantling process, the city would be foolish to object to this work being conducted here.

"There will be few, if any, such significant defence opportunities emerging from the MoD in the foreseeable future.

"This would be guaranteed long-term work sustaining the skilled work force here", he said.

On its website, Trident Ploughshares states Plymouth is becoming known as the 'Sellafield of the South West' because of its involvement with nuclear submarine refits, maintenance and upgrades.