Anti-abortion campaigners have started 40 days of action outside Glasgow's super hospital.
The 40 Days for Life group have begun their vigil outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, running from February 10 until March 20.
A statement from the campaign yesterday read: "From February 10 to March 20, our community will take part in 40 Days for Life … a groundbreaking, coordinated international mobilization.
"We pray that, with God’s help, this will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city — and beyond."
The controversial event has attracted criticism from thousands of people, with more than 4000 signing a petition in the last three weeks calling for it to be banned.
The petition states that "NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board & Police Scotland revoke this permission allowing both service users and staff to access the hospital safely."
It also argues that the protests "could cause distress not only to women in need of the abortion services (at a time of emotional distress and or vulnerability) but also staff and those accessing other services in the hospital."
Although the event does have permission from the police, the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde healthboard said campaigners were not allowed on hospital grounds and would have to remain on the street outside the facility.
Anti abortion protesters are understood to be planning 12-hour vigil sessions every day for the period of Lent, which runs from today until Easter.
Video by Colin Templeton
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