PROTESTERS made their voices heard when they shared concerns about the first Defence and Security Expo being held in Hereford.

Members of the public joined Southern Marches Quakers outside the Courtyard today as the arts centre hosted the event which was attended by defence and security organisations from across the UK.

Those at the gathering said they did not wish to disrupt any activity at the Courtyard and expressed their support for the centre and its aims in furthering the arts, but made clear they did not think it was an appropriate venue for the event.

As a sign of goodwill, they gave peace lilies to the exhibitors, and to the Courtyard.

They said in a statement: "It is not easy to differentiate between defence and attack. Many defensive items can be used to attack and many companies in the defence and security industries make offensive weapons too. We should like to see more public discussion of the difficult issues involved."

The event attracted delegates from the Ministry of Defence, Qinetiq and international firms specialising in a number of different types of defence and security technology – ranging from night vision goggles to the most sophisticated communications systems.

It was the first event of its kind in the county and was set to offer firms in the sector the chance to showcase their own expertise to a wider audience and to hear speakers of national standing in areas of interest, such as cyber security, communication systems, equipment procurement and how the armed forces can work with industry to the benefit of future operations.

Speakers were to include MoD staff and head of the Army in the West Midlands, Brigadier Robin Anderton-Brown, who commands 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade based at Venning Barracks, near Telford.

The event was sponsored and organised by Harrison Clark Rickerbys solicitors, Hereford Enterprise Zone at Skylon Park, and the University of Wolverhampton.