RAF Fairford, about 15 miles south-east of Gloucester, is the base for American B52 and B1 bombers taking part in Nato operations over Yugoslavia.

It is the temporary home of about 800 American service personnel.

A Women's Peace Camp has been pitched outside the perimeter fence for several days.

Camp spokeswoman Di Macdonald said they were protesting against the atrocities in Kosovo and the Nato bombing.

She said the public needed to be made aware of the negative side of the bombing campaign.

'Stop the war'

More than 50 protesters, mainly women, flocked to the RAF Fairford on Bank Holiday Monday and called for an end to Nato military action in Yugoslavia and an end to Serbian atrocities in Kosovo.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire police said the protest was largely peaceful but several demonstrators were arrested and detained overnight after they scaled the fence.

Two women, one from Bristol and the other from Otley, West Yorkshire, were charged with aggravated trespass and causing criminal damage.

Three women from Southampton were charged with aggravated trespass and carrying a article with intent to do criminal damage, along with two others from Hampshire and London.

A 49-year-old Southampton woman was charged solely with aggravated trespass.

All have been bailed to appear before magistrates in Cirencester on 6 July.