Church campaigners have been cheered that the Liberal Democrats have become the first of the biggest parties to say they will not renew Britain's Trident nuclear weapons.

New UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has faced a call to delay plans for the Trident nuclear weapons system until MPs have chance to debate them, with a motion asking for a discussion of the decision in Parliament.

Campaigners from Scotland have been proposing to UK chancellor Alistair Darling an alternative budget which does not include spending on nuclear weapons - arguing that that there are massive savings to be made.

Chancellor Gordon Brown has been jointly challenged by Catholic and Protestant leaders in Scotland to cut back spending on nuclear weapons and to focus on aid, trade and debt targets.

Following a large Commons rebellion, churches and other campaigners against Trident renewal have continued to express their opposition to the government's nuclear policy

The former Soviet president opposes Blair on Trident, as the deputy leader of the UK House of Commons resigns

The large numbers of Christians who will be joining the anti-Trident nuclear weapons demonstration in London on 24 February 2007 are being invited to an ecumenical service beforehand. Hinde Street Methodist Church - just north of the famous Oxford Street shopping centre - will host the gathering for worship at 10.30 AM.

Nineteen Church of England bishops have joined a growing chorus of church voices including Methodists, Roman Catholics, Quakers and the (Presbyterian) Church of Scotland, in urging Prime Minister Tony Blair to halt plans to replace Britain's ageing fleet of Trident nuclear-armed submarines.