ANGRY anti-nuclear protesters staged a demonstration outside Southampton City Council.

Members of SCANS (the Solent Coalition Against Nuclear Ships) dressed in radioactive suits as part of their campaign against nuclear vessels being allowed to enter the city.

City bosses have approved the controversial "Soton-Safe" plan which allows the Royal Navy to use docks in Southampton to berth a nuclear submarine although council leader Adrian Vinson has written to the Navy requesting them not to send a nuclear sub to the city.

But SCANS say that the plan would put Southampton residents at risk. Protesters hope to press the council for a realistic accident exercise and to get a second opinion on the council's responsibilities under complex European legislation which governs the handling of radioactive materials.

SCANS spokesman, Di McDonald said: "No commercial vessels are nuclear powered and for good reason - they would not be able to operate in the docks on safety grounds."