A CAMPAIGNER has been jailed for refusing to pay a fine from a peace protest - but she may be home for Christmas.

Irene Willis, 62, of Buckland, Shoebury, was found guilty in July of obstructing the highway at an anti-nuclear protest in Parliament Square.

Magistrates ordered Willis to pay a £50 fine and £50 court costs for deliberately blocking traffic during the protest, on March 14, as the Government voted to replace Trident, a submarine which carries nuclear weapons.

However, she refused to pay the fine and costs, and yesterday was jailed for seven days when she appeared at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, in London.

Willis's friend Chris Keene, of the Parkway, Canvey, said it was possible she would be released by Friday.

He said: "Irene was expecting to be jailed, but is hoping to be out before the weekend.

"She is standing up for democracy. There is an increasing tendency in this country to enforce a police state with fewer liberties, such as you can't protest at Parliament Square.

"It is a brave thing she is doing, but an important one.

"She was not looking forward to this, but was prepared to go through with it. She didn't pay the fine on principle because she is in the right."

Anti-nuclear campaigners claim by agreeing to replace Trident and constructing new facilities to enable the development of a new generation of nuclear weapons, the Government is in breach of a number of laws and international treaties.

In a statement issued after the court hearing, Willis said: "Although I have been found guilty of a crime, I must ask why, if we are all equal under the law, the Government is not also put on trial for breaking international law.

"I would ask anyone who feels we should not have nuclear weapons to write to their MP and suggest they vote against any new nuclear missiles or warheads."