The protesters are campaigning for better access to their children

About 40 members of the fathers' rights group met in Shropshire over the weekend to organise their next series of protests.

They warned members that prison was a reality and planned action on major travel routes, including airports, motorways and ports, if the leaders are arrested.

The meeting, in All Stretton, followed a week of demonstrations during which several members were arrested. The group wants divorced fathers to get greater access to their children.

F4J spokesman Matt O'Connor told BBC News Online: "Everybody's a bit frightened after the police were raised last week but everybody's prepared to muck in and get on with the job.

"People are going to go to prison. Nobody really wants to spend time inside but that's a reality."

He refused to give details of the action planned for this week but warned "it is going to escalate".

People are going to go to prison. Nobody really wants to spend time inside but that's a reality Matt O'Connor, F4J

Last Monday protesters climbed bridges and gantries in Bristol, London and Newcastle causing widespread traffic disruption.

Four men dressed as superheroes scaled Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Three of the protesters were arrested as they came down on Tuesday morning on suspicion of causing a public nuisance.

They have been bailed by police until March.

In London four men were arrested after protesting over several roads in the city.

Mr O'Connor said: "We've had an unanimous feeling over the weekend that we have a job to do and we don't have any option or choice.

"We don't have the political will to drive this issue forward so we have to drive it forward ourselves with non-violent direct action and civil disobedience."