SNP MSP Bill Kidd today backed peace campaigners in their calls for a trident free budget.

Mr Kidd’s comments follow attempts by campaigners to present a Trident free budget to Alasdair Darling earlier today.

On Friday the Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called on the UK Government to abandon plans to cut frontline services and to cut Trident instead.

Glasgow MSP Mr Kidd said: "This is one of the best budget suggestions Alasdair Darling will receive.

"Instead of cutting spending on public services, cuts that could harm communities across Scotland the UK Government should cut the £25 billion about to be spent on new, unwanted nuclear weapons for the Clyde.

"When the rest of the world is talking about disarmament the UK is the only western nation looking to build new weapons.

"We've got what it takes to keep nuclear weapons out of Scotland and to preserve Scotland's public services.

"Instead of cutting £15 billion from public services and investment in the teeth of a recession, the Chancellor should listen to this friendly advice and cut plans to waste billions on nuclear weapons."