Tensions flared as anti-war campaigners clashed with police outside a weapons factory.

More than 50 activists gathered outside EDO MBM Technology, off Lewes Road, Brighton, for their first demonstration since an injunction limiting their protests was granted last month.

Under the order, the campaigners are allowed to demonstrate at any time in any numbers but are not allowed to enter an exclusion zone around the factory. This limited yesterday's action to a small grass verge near a steep drop on to a railway line.

The protestors sounded sirens and horns, blew whistles, shouted and banged drums for three hours. But tempers flared as dozens of police officers were drafted in to enforce the injunction and three arrests were made.

Protestors of all ages, ranging from a young boy to a man of 80, were allowed to make as much noise as they liked but made to keep to the verge on the opposite side of the road to the factory entrance.

Many shouted at company staff as they drove out of the factory while others ripped up copies of the injunction, handed to them by a representatvie of the company as they arrived.

The police made the arrests as three protestors stepped on to the road and into the exclusion zone.

Reinforcements from police vans waiting along the road leading up to the factory were brought in to stop the trouble escalating. One protestor said: "There seems to be more police here than there are protestors. It is a complete over-reaction to a peaceful demonstration.

"We are restricted to a narrow grass verge and there is a steep embankment right behind it which goes on to the railway track. It would take just one push and someone could be badly hurt."

Protestor John Catt, 80, from Brighton, said: "I feel really strongly about this. We must not have our right to protest affected in any way. I have been here before and I will be here again."

The company makes parts for war planes.

Protestors from Smash EDO are planning a national demonstration at the site later this month and warn if the expected numbers of people turn up there will not be enough room on the verge and somebody could be hurt.