Six people have been arrested after a factory in Kent was occupied by pro-Palestine protestors.

Police are at the scene of Instro Precision in Broadstairs, which has been occupied by activists who say the site is owned by an Israeli weapons manufacturer.

Protestors from Kent, Brighton and London chained themselves to the gate and fences of the site in Pysons Road Industrial Estate.

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of trespassing and criminal damage offences and a further person has been arrested for obstructing police.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers are working to bring the situation to a safe conclusion whilst facilitating a peaceful protest and minimise disruption to the wider community."

It is understood the factory is not opening today.

Activists have said the action is now over.

Instro's latest accounts, filed in September last year, say it is owned by Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest military company.

Elbit is involved in the production of high-spec equipment including aerial drones, armed ground robots and smart helmets.

Protestors accuse the company of supplying Israel with weapons used to kill Palestinian people in Gaza.

One of the activists in Kent, Roberta Smith, said: "They work hand-in- hand with the Israeli military as they develop increasingly lethal weapons, which are then tested on Palestinians and sold as ‘combat-proven’ to governments around the world, including the British Government.

"It is deplorable that they have four factories in the UK where they are able to manufacture their deadly weapons with impunity.”

Instro Precision has been contacted for comment.