Anti-war protesters, dressed as the Grim Reaper, Tony Blair and George Bush, held a demonstration against the arms trade.

Campaigners from Worthing Against War collected more than 100 signatures for a petition in Montague Place on Saturday.

Some protesters also dressed as arms dealers and carried mock guns and bazookas to highlight their opposition to the export of arms.

Members of the public were urged to pop helium balloons with the word bomb on them to show their support.

The group's Tanya Tier said: "The World Health Organisation estimates more than 2,000 children a day are dying as a direct result of armed conflict.

"A recent survey found 80 per cent of the British public are against the arms trade and this was shown on Saturday when we collected more than 100 signatures from local people opposed to the export of arms."

The petition will be sent to Prime Minister Tony Blair.