Campaigners have slammed rugby authorities for hosting an Arms Fair, including tanks, at Twickenham stadium.

Protesters have lined the pavement outside the venue this week, while the Council is under pressure to oppose the annual event.

Members from a number of groups, including Stop the War, War on Want, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT), carrying banners joined the protest.

Richmond Green councillor, Caroline Wren, joined other party members in condemning the Arms Fair.

She has put down an official question to the Lib-Dem leader of the council, Gareth Roberts, asking: "Will the Leader of the Council agree to write to Twickenham Stadium and express concern at the International Armoured Vehicles Conference happening this week, on the grounds that offering a regular venue for arms dealing is incompatible with our values?"

The PSC said the three day event will welcome representatives of arms companies supplying weapons to Israel, which are 'used in its colonial violence against Palestinians'.

It added: "One of the main partners of the event is Israeli state-owned arms manufacturer Rafael. It produces SPIKE missiles, which have been used by the Israeli military in its repeated indiscriminate attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip.

"Rafael is not alone – many companies who produce weapons used to attack civilian populations will attend.

"The arms company delegates will meet representatives from a range of human rights abusing states – including senior members of the Israeli military."

Richmond and Twickenham PSC chairman, Iyas Alqasem, who lives just 50 yards from the stadium, told the Morning Star that the Rugby Football Union's decision to host the arms fair was out of step with its reputation as the 'home of fair play'.

He said: "This is a community stadium. It's the home of British rugby. We're told it's the home of fair play. What's that got to do with essentially a conference where the outcome of it is civilians and children being killed?"

The Stop The Arms Fair! Group said: "It is not right that a sports ground that should be used for peaceful international sport is promoting products of death and destruction."

An RFU spokesperson said: "We host many successful private events throughout the year at Twickenham Stadium. As a host, we are politically neutral, and our main priority is to ensure that all events are safe and secure for both clients and local residents.

''The organisers of the conference work closely with the British Army and other NATO Armed Forces to ensure the event provides a forum to allow them to share best practice and knowledge to assist in deterring threats to security.''