PROTESTORS took to the streets yesterday to highlight the need for tough new legislation to prevent small arms being sold to countries where they are likely to be used to kill civilians.

Members of Oxfam and Amnesty International staged their demonstration at Grey's Monument, Newcastle.

Oxfam campaigner Catherine Withers said a licence was needed to marry, hold a boxing match, to fish and even to hold a raffle, but not to broker arms.

UK arms dealers can bypass all export regulations by arranging the sale of the weapons without them ever touching UK soil.

Supporters drew attention to this by dressing up as a bride and groom, a boxer, fisherman, a doctor and arms dealer - and asking passers-by to spot the odd one out.

Ms Withers said: "The UK is one of the top three arms exporters in the world, but our arms controls are less impressive.

"The law contains so many loopholes that arms dealers can sell guns to virtually any country that can pay. Despite years of government pledges, not enough has changed. Civilians are still paying the price, and human rights are still being abused.

Campaigners claim that a survey conducted in the North-East revealed that 93 per cent of people agreed that the Government should introduce tighter arms controls as soon as possible.