Religious protesters forced the closure of Northwood Military Headquarters' main entrance for two hours.

A group of five pitched tents in front of the main gate and prayed for two hours, while eleven others displayed signs with slogans such as “War is not a solution” yesterday.

A banner stating, “Occupy Northwood HQ not Afghanistan” was hung on the fence, and the gate remained closed for the duration of the protest.

Yesterday was chosen as it coincides with the Feast of Holy Innocents, when Catholics remember the children murdered by king Herod in his search for the infant Jesus.

Maria Albrecht, 50, and Scott Albrecht, 49, from the Catholic Worker Farm, which is based in Old Uxbridge Road, West Hyde, attended the protest.

Also there were Henrietta Cullinan, 50, from the Catholic Worker in Hackney, John Lynes, 83, Quaker from Hastings and Rachel Wood, 28, from the Catholic Worker group Sheffield.

A group statement said: “At a time when government cuts are affecting innocent children, pensioners, teachers, the sick and refugees the last thing we need to be doing is to continue spending billions on warfare. Human lives are the deepest cost.”