Yesterday, according to the group's estimate, up to 5,000 supporters turned up to celebrate the anniversary and protest at the government's plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system, in the largest demonstration at the site for two decades.

Clutching replicas of the "lollipop" placards featuring artist Gerald Holtom's now-famous CND symbol, young and old clambered from coaches to turn the perimeter fence into a sea of rainbow banners and multicoloured knitwear.