They released hundreds of balloons covered with anti-war messages at Marchwood Military Port near Southampton.

Royal Marines set sail from the port last week on their way to join a task force in the Mediterranean.

Protester David Hoadley said: "Marchwood is one of the main bases the army is using to ship hardware to the Middle East for probable war with Iraq.

"We don't think Britain should be part of this. Any war will kill lots of innocent people.

"We are inviting supporters to make as much noise as possible, banging drums and blowing whistles."

Two protesters who climbed over the fence at Marchwood last year were fined for criminal damage.