Pro Palestine peace activists staged a sit in at the entrance to BAE systems this morning.

Police said there were delays on the A59 and A677 in both directions due to a protest at BAE systems in Myerscough Road, Blackburn. Drivers are being asked to find alternative routes.

The blockade was at the four main gates of BAE Systems Salmesbury Aerodrome Arms Factory.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Members of Palestine Action, which is aiming to highlight the ongoing bombing of Gaza, said: “This factory make the rear fuselage of every F-35 fighter, used heavily in Israel's genocidal bombing of Gaza that has murdered over 15000 children in 207 days.”

Israel's Defence Force has maintained its bombing in the Gaza Strip with more than 100,000 civilians killed or injured in the bombing.

The latest protest comes on the back of a number of demonstrations at the site over the past seven months since the war was sparked by a Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, which triggered Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip and subsequent humanitarian crisis.

Hamas continues to hold hostages captured during the attack, while thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee to refugee camps for their own safety.

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “The ongoing violence in the Middle East is having a devastating impact on civilians in the region and we hope the parties involved find a way to end the violence as soon as possible.

“We respect everyone’s right to protest peacefully. We operate under the tightest regulation and comply fully with all applicable defence export controls, which are subject to ongoing assessment.”

Demonstrations have also been taking place in London, outside Government buildings, and at other factories in Glasgow and South Wales. Three arrests - for blocking access to a building - have been made in London.