Anti-war protesters on board a British military supply ship bound for the Gulf have refused to move despite being hosed with cold water.

Two Greenpeace campaigners are sheltering under a tent as they brave snow storms, gales, and water jets from the crew of the MV Lyra J.

The protesters climbed on to the Merchant Navy ship while at anchor in the Solent off Southampton shortly before 0800 GMT on Thursday.

The Lyra J was awaiting a pilot to take her into Marchwood Military Port on Southampton Water, when the protesters got on to the ship and set up a "peace camp" at the stern.

The Royal Navy denies it ordered the crew to hose protesters

Another protester in a rigid inflatable boat attached the craft to the ship's anchor.

The Lyra J has a civilian crew, but an RAF regimental sergeant and 11 other ranks of RAF and army personnel were also aboard.

A military police boat and two boats of Hampshire police were at the scene earlier.

The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, which earlier this week delayed another supply ship by obstructing the entrance to the port, was also nearby.

The Lyra J had loaded up with military vehicles at Southampton's commercial port, before sailing to Marchwood to pick up military supplies.

We have no intention of moving. We aim to stay here as long as possible Greenpeace spokesman

The Antigua-registered vessel was due to join the HMS Ark Royal task force in the Mediterranean, ready for possible war with Iraq.

A Greenpeace spokesman called the campaigners "heroic" for enduring the weather and the hoses in the name of peace.

He said: "We have no intention of moving. We aim to stay here as long as possible.

"This is part of Greenpeace's global campaign to prevent a military attack on Iraq which will kill thousands of civilians. This war is not justified."

Anton Hanney, a Royal Navy chief press officer, said: "Our operations are carrying on as normal, although clearly we are currently unable to complete loading the Lyra J.

"We have a contingency plan for this type of incident, which we obviously cannot reveal for security reasons, and we are preparing to put it into action."