A GROUP of protestors from Malvern and the surrounding areas demonstrated against a military expo.

The group, calling themselves the Malvern Individuals for Peace, made up of a coalition of Malvern, Worcester and Hereford Quakers together with Malvern residents, protested against the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo held at the Three Counties Showground.

The protest consisted of a vigil in Barnards Green, followed by a march through the area and on to QinetiQ.

The final stage of the protest took place opposite the Showground exit gate as the delegates left the site.

Drivers were confronted with messages including: "Malvern Showground Welcomes Arms Traders: NOT IN OUR NAME" and "Use your Skills to Tackle the Climate Emergency."

The Expo, known as the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo or 3CDSE, is described on its website as "a networking forum to introduce SME’s to procurement decision-makers and influencers in the MoD and Law Enforcement agencies."

More than 1,000 delegates and more than 100 exhibitors took part in this year's expo, which is the third of its kind since it was set up in 2017.

Several businesses used the expo as an opportunity to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

This is an agreement from businesses not to allow present or former members to be at any disadvantage when accessing products or services.

The government document outlining the covenant describes it as typically including "policies that: encourage reserve service, support employment of veterans and service spouses/partners and give the Armed Forces community a fair deal on commercial products and services."

A spokesman for 3CDSE said: “Three Counties Defence and Security Expo was attended by over a thousand business people and personnel from the Ministry of Defence.

"It is an opportunity for businesses from across the Three Counties region and nationally to exhibit their innovative technologies, which are helping to tackle issues such as terrorist threats against our country.

"These include Cyber Security and Anti-UAV technology as well as technologies being used in Disaster Relief across the globe.

"The event is aimed at those within the defence and security industries.

"It has a public website, and a presence on social media platforms.

"The three counties has long established links with the defence and intelligence agencies, with Special Forces, GCHQ and QinetiQ based in the region.

"The work being done by our exhibitors is helping to keep the communities here and across the UK safe, from current and future threats."