Police have boarded the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior and are towing it from its blockade at Marchwood military port to Southampton Docks.

A Royal Navy spokesman said 21 police officers from the Hampshire and Ministry of Defence forces boarded the ship at 2200 GMT from the Admiralty tug Powerful.

Their objective had been to either gain control of the ship or attach lines to the tug which would then drag the Rainbow Warrior "to a place of safety".

Greenpeace said later that police had severed the anchor chain of the Rainbow Warrior and were towing it away.

The protesters had been at the Marchwood site - which is the departure point for most of the UK's military supplies for a possible war with Iraq - since Monday.

Spokesman for Greenpeace Rob Gueterbock, who is on board the Warrior, said none of the crew had been arrested by police.

The protesters said a decision had not yet been made on what the crew will do when the ship arrives at the docks.

On Friday the government was granted a High Court injunction banning anti-war protesters from boarding any military ships, but the order did not ban the Rainbow Warrior from the area.

'Rush into war'

Earlier spokeswoman for Greenpeace said they had stopped a ship loaded with helicopters, jeeps and Scorpion tanks from leaving port.

Mr Gueterbock said: "Day and night tanks and helicopters are streaming through Marchwood as part of the build up of the military machine.

"Greenpeace is determined to do everything we can to stop this headlong rush into war."