The boss of a Brighton factory at the centre of an arms row has denied it makes bomb release equipment for Israeli warplanes.

Paul Hills, managing director of EDO MBM also denied lying in court to hide the company's alleged links to Israel.

Mr Hills told a jury that the company does supply bomb release equipment for some F16 war planes.

He added: “We do not provide any parts for Israeli F16s. The parts we provide are not used by the Israeli Air Force.”

The company's factory in Home Farm Road, Moulsecoomb, was raided by protesters from the Smash EDO campaign in January last year.

They caused nearly £200,000 damage as they smashed up equipment in a bid to put the factory out of action.

At Hove Crown Court, eight protesters claim they acted legally in order to prevent further alleged war crimes by Israel.

Ornella Saibene, 50, Robert Nicholls, 52, Elijah Smith, 42, Harvey Tadman, 44, and Thomas Woodhead, all from Bristol, were arrested inside the factory.

Simon Levin, 35, and Christopher Osmond, 29, both of Montpelier Street, Brighton, and Rosa Bellamy, 23, of St Peter's Place, Brighton, were arrested nearby.

All eight deny conspiracy to cause damage to the factory on January 17 last year.