Anti-war protesters threaten to bring the centre of Brighton to a halt as they protest against a factory providing parts for fighter jets.

A march through the city centre will set off from Churchill Square on Saturday at noon.

The event has been advertised on the web site of campaign group Smash EDO as a peace rally and march in protest against EDO MBM Technology, which makes bomb components for war planes.

But police fear the march will bring chaos to the city centre as organisers have not come forward to discuss their plans.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "A march will cause huge traffic gridlock. We don't want to stop the demonstration. We just want to facilitate any lawful protest to ensure the safety of all those taking part and for the public."

This weekend will be one of the busiest of the summer in Brighton.

Smash EDO held a march in the city centre on June 11, causing huge disruption.

City centre manager Soozie Campbell said: "This march will be devastating for businesses. It follows hot on the heels of the Pride parade which has hit takings in the city centre again this year.

"But Pride was well organised with police and council transport department co-operation. What chance is there of this march not causing chaos and damage to businesses?

"The city centre economy is in a fragile state at the moment and this could be the last straw. I completely empathise with the aims of the anti-war protesters but this is not a good way to win support."

The march will be the third to take place since an injunction was granted against Smash EDO last month under a law usually applied to stalkers. Under its terms, campaigners are allowed to demonstrate at any time in any numbers but are not allowed to enter an exclusion zone around the factory in Home Farm Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton.

The march on Saturday will kick off a peace camp at Wild Park in Moulsecoomb to start that day and continue until the next Friday.

EDO MBM managing director David Jones said: "It's very unfortunate that the general public and businesses in Brighton city centre are being affected by protests against EDO MBM.

"Our opinion is well known. We believe people have the right to protest in a democratic fashion but protests against EDO MBM go outside that democratic right."

No one from Smash EDO was available for comment.

Police have urged Smash EDO organisers to contact PC Sean McDonald on 0845 6070999.