HUNDREDS of anti-nuclear campaigners are expected in the Helensburgh area this weekend for a mass rally outside the Faslane naval base.

The demonstration on Saturday, September 22, will start at the Faslane peace camp, near the southern entrance to Faslane, at around 12 noon, before moving towards the north gate of the base.

The Scottish CND is organising the event, which will feature international guests, one year on from the signing of a Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at the United Nations.

The organisers say they expect up to 500 protesters to take part in the event on Saturday, September 22.

Janet Fenton, chair of the SCND, said: “It is a reasonably big event as we have speakers from several nuclear states as well as musical performances.

“Of course, it’s one year since the TPNW was adopted by some UN member nations and this rally will have a huge impact in showing that the mood is changing.

“We hope it can build confidence in the belief that it is possible to think of a world without nuclear weapons.

“This will be another example, in Scotland and beyond, of our dedication to ratifying this situation and removing these nuclear weapons.”

Speakers from the USA, Russia, Iran, the Netherlands, Israel and Germany will be in attendance, with events expected to finish at 4pm.

George Freeman, independent councillor for Lomond North, noted the issues which have surrounded such events in recent years but said he was hopeful that there will only be minor disruption this time.

Cllr Freeman told the Advertiser: “Having experienced numerous demonstrations and rallies at Faslane over the past 30 years, I am aware of the problems that these can cause for the public going about their daily business.

“It got so bad a number of years ago that we organised our own demonstration against the protestors which had a marked impact on the way these demonstrations were organised and has ensured that on most occasions, the road remains open.

“I have been in contact with senior Police Scotland officers who will be on site on the day of the demonstration and who have given me reassurance that all will be done to ensure that the road remains open and that the impact on the public will be minimised.

“I will certainly be going back to Police Scotland after the event to raise any concerns that I or my constituents may have.”