Two protesters arrested at Heathrow Airport

Police arrested two protesters who tried to get onto the runway at Heathrow Airport today, the airport's operator said.

BAA, owned by Spain's Ferrovial, said it closed one of the airport's two runways for 14 minutes for safety reasons after the protesters attempted to "gain unlawful access" to the airfield. There were minor disruptions to air traffic.

"They were quickly apprehended and arrested and are now in police custody," BAA said in a statement."We condemn the actions of those involved unreservedly."

An airport source said the protesters were believed to be members of Fathers 4 Justice, a group which stages high-profile stunts to campaign for divorced fathers to have greater access to their children.

Members of the group have previously climbed to the top of St Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. In 2004, protesters threw flour-filled condoms at then Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons.

No one from the group could immediately be reached for comment. A police spokesman said the two protesters were in custody and had not been charged.