MORE than 200 protesters blockaded the entrance to Hinkley Point nuclear power stations on Monday in what protesters billed as a "celebration of dissent".

A host of anti-nuclear groups joined forces under the banner Stop New Nuclear to stage a peaceful demonstration in protest against EDF Energy's plans to build a new power station at the site.

All but essential power station staff were told to stay away from the base while protesters blocked the road for nine hours.

Stop New Nuclear spokesman Andreas Speck hailed the demonstration as a "victory over EDF" and said supporters had come from all over the UK and as far afield as Ireland, Germany and Belgium: "Following the interest this blockade has attracted, both regionally and nationally, the Government and EDF can no longer claim that we need nuclear energy to keep the lights on."

He called for the UK to follow the German government in committing to a nuclear-free future and focusing on a mix of renewables and combined heat and power for energy.

Protesters claim the proposed Hinkley C will consume more energy than it produces and leave a lasting toxic legacy for decades to come: "If the Government can spend billions of pounds renewing Trident missiles and fighting Gaddafi in Libya, why can't they find the money to build truly sustainable energy systems that would create a great many more jobs than the nuclear sector can?" campaigner Angie Zelter said.

Peter Higginson, Hinkley Point B's technical and safety support manager, said: "We respect the right to peaceful protest, but believe firmly that low carbon electricity from nuclear power stations has an important role to play in supplying local homes, schools, hospitals and factories.

"Hinkley Point B generated power safely during the protest, just as it has done for the last 35 years.

"We have arrangements in place to deal with such situations as safety is always our top priority."

As part of the protest, a theatrical troupe enacted a nuclear disaster scenario and released 206 balloons to represent the number of days since Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant was crippled by a devastating tsunami.