Bands oppose nuclear weapons plan

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Snow Patrol, Thom Yorke and Razorlight are among more than 50 British artists opposing plans to modernise the country's nuclear weapons system.

The musicians have signed a statement released by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) that urges "peace and justice, not nuclear weapons and war".

It says the billions of pounds set to be spent would be better used to fund areas including health and education.

MPs are due to vote next month on the government's nuclear weapons plan.

Bloc Party's frontman, Kele, thinks spending billions on "nukes" will bring us closer to "global catastrophe".

Ian Brown, former lead singer of the Stone Roses, is also backing the campaign, calling political leaders "hypocrites and warmongers".

Prime Minister Tony Blair has declared he wants the UK to keep its nuclear weapons system to guard against the risk of a future nuclear threat.

Nuclear warheads

In December, Mr Blair told MPs it would be "unwise and dangerous" for the UK to give up its nuclear weapons.

The government wants a new generation of submarines to be built, at an estimated cost of £15bn to £20bn over 30 years, to carry the UK's existing Trident missiles.

He also wants the UK to join the US programme to extend the life of the Trident missiles until 2042, and then "work with" the US on successor missiles.

An anti-Trident demonstration will be held in London on Saturday, organised by the CND, the Stop the War Coalition and the British Muslim Initiative.