The Church of England yesterday strengthened its opposition to the renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent.

The Church of England's General Synod is to be debate the Government's proposals to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system, as well as the crisis in Britain's prisons, it was announced yesterday.

Catholic Bishop Peter Moran of Aberdeen is the latest church leader to appeal to Scotland’s Christians to write to their MPs in opposition to the planned renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system. Christian leaders across Britain are also calling for concerted debate and action.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said that the publication of the UK government's White Paper (formal legislative proposal) on replacement of the controversial Trident nuclear weapons programme should not be used to close down the debate - but to open it up around recognised issues of major concern.