PRO-life, anti-abortion campaigners are to hold silent vigils outside a children’s hospital for a second year in a row.

Campaigners from the 40 Days for Life group will stage their quiet protests during March and April at the Royal Hospital for Children in Govan.

The group, which started in Texas in 2004, aims "to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion" and started in Scotland for the first time last year.

40 Days for Life members are to meet in George Square to hold their opening event on February 25, between 11am and 1pm.

They will then start their 12-hour silent campaigns outside the children's hospital between 8am and 8pm every day from March 1 to April 9.

Last year thousands of people signed an online petition trying to block campaigners from being allowed to hold the demo.

However NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said they were unable to stop the group as they would be picketing outside the hospital grounds.

Now Green party members have spoken out against the latest planned demonstrations.

Allan Young, the party's Govan candidate for the upcoming council elections, said: "Their presence will no doubt cause distress and harm to women at an emotionally difficult time.

“The protest will also disrupt the vital work carried out by staff at a very busy hospital, and cause distress to other patients and visitors at the hospital.

“The right of women to choose must be protected.

“These protests seem to be part of a wider anti-abortion strategy which we will oppose at every stage.”

Green Party spokeswoman for health and social care Cass MacGregor added: “We consider that reproductive health services must be delivered on the basis that all people have the right to decide whether and how to control their own fertility.

“We believe that laws such as those in Northern Ireland which make it more difficult for women to obtain abortions simply increase the distress and health risks for those involved.

“We will continue to campaign to improve services, access and information regarding abortion for women in all areas of Scotland, and to address inequalities for low-income and younger women.”

The campaign organiser was contacted for comment but failed to respond.

Last year the group said the ‘peaceful, prayerful’ event was not a demonstration, and added: "We will be there every day quietly praying, we won’t approach people, there won’t be graphic images.

"If someone wants to come and talk to us that’s fine."